Political Inquiry Committee on October 7 Massacre Delayed for Six Months Amid Opposition
The political inquiry committee law regarding the October 7 massacre, approved in a preliminary Knesset reading on Monday, is unlikely to advance further in the next six months. This means that even three years after Hamas's surprise attack, no official inquiry committee will be established in the near future. The coalition pushed for the initial approval to enable legislative continuity, allowing the next Knesset to resume the process from where it stopped, provided the current coalition retains a majority.
Two scenarios are possible moving forward: if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forms a similar government, the political inquiry committee, as proposed by Likud MK Ariel Kallner, will be appointed by politicians with equal representation from coalition and opposition members. However, the opposition has already declared it will not cooperate, potentially leaving the committee to operate with only coalition members. Alternatively, if a unity or "change" government forms, a state inquiry committee appointed by the Supreme Court president is expected, possibly incorporating a compromise involving President Isaac Herzog and Deputy Supreme Court President Noam Sohlberg due to criticism from bereaved families.
The proposed committee would investigate the events of October 7, the war, and preceding circumstances, comprising six Israeli members, three from the opposition and three from the coalition. Restrictions exclude individuals who held senior positions 18 years before the attack. Additionally, four special observers from bereaved families and released hostages would participate without voting rights. The committee would have authority over procedural rules, including limited participation in classified matters.
The bill passed Monday with 59 coalition votes and no opposition support; Prime Minister Netanyahu was absent, and the opposition boycotted the vote. Opposition leaders, including Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett, condemned the move, pledging to establish a state inquiry committee in the next government. The "October Council," representing over 1,500 bereaved families and survivors, harshly criticized the political inquiry as a cover-up, demanding a state committee and holding the current government responsible for the tragedy.
The delay means that at least six months will pass without any formal investigation into the worst massacre in Jewish history since the Holocaust, prolonging the anguish of victims' families and survivors.
