Israeli Knesset Approves National Inquiry Committee for October 7 Massacre

The Israeli Knesset has approved in a preliminary vote the establishment of a "national-state" inquiry committee to investigate the October 7, 2023 massacre and the related war events. The bill, proposed by MK Ariel Kallner, passed with 59 votes in favor and no opposition or abstentions. It now returns to the Constitution Committee for further preparation before the second and third readings.

The proposed committee will have full investigative powers, including summoning witnesses, collecting testimonies, and gathering documents. It will examine all events and factors leading to the massacre and the war, submitting its findings to the Knesset Speaker and the Israeli government. The committee will consist of six members appointed either by a broad consensus of 80 Knesset members or, failing that, equally split between coalition and opposition representatives through a mechanism involving the Knesset Committee Chair and the Opposition Leader.

The law also stipulates detailed provisions regarding the committee's composition, qualifications of members, chairperson selection, powers, and procedures. Released hostages and bereaved family members will serve as observers, and hearings will generally be public and broadcast to ensure transparency.

Coalition leaders emphasized the importance of passing the bill now to apply continuity rules if the Knesset dissolves before completing the legislation, allowing the process to continue in the next Knesset without restarting. MK Ariel Kallner stated the law aims to resolve issues of truth and trust by creating a balanced committee capable of investigating all security policy influences.

The bill's explanatory notes highlight the goal of a thorough, independent investigation of the October 7 massacre and the ensuing war, addressing public disputes over committee appointment processes under current law. The legislation will proceed with further debate and finalization in the Constitution Committee, with hopes to complete or at least secure continuation of the process if the current Knesset dissolves.