Israeli Government Asks Supreme Court Not to Intervene in Delay of October 7 Inquiry Panel Legislation

The Israeli government informed the Supreme Court on July 22, 2026, that it has not completed legislation to establish a state inquiry committee into the October 7 attacks due to scheduling constraints related to the Knesset's election recess. The bill, which had passed its first reading with 59 votes in favor and no opposition, failed to clear the second and third readings before the Knesset went on break for elections. The government requested the court to refrain from intervening at this sensitive political time, emphasizing the potential public impact of judicial rulings during an election period.

The proposed law, initiated by Likud MK Ariel Kallner under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's directive, seeks to shift the appointment authority of the inquiry committee from the judiciary to the political sphere. The committee would comprise six members, evenly split between coalition and opposition representatives, and could operate with as few as three members. The government would determine the committee’s mandate and investigation scope.

The October Council sharply criticized the government's delay, accusing it of deliberately stalling to avoid a thorough investigation. They stated, "The government sought time to deceive everyone and never investigate," highlighting the pain of bereaved families, hostages, and victims awaiting truth. The families of the victims demanded that Netanyahu be held personally accountable for contempt of court, calling for the Supreme Court to respond with full severity.

The government also argued that current petitions on the matter have been exhausted and requested their dismissal or deletion, independent of the election period. The Knesset had recently approved an amendment to the Political Parties Financing Law before entering the election recess, which will last until the 26th Knesset convenes. The political dispute over the inquiry's framework remains central to the ongoing controversy.