Israeli Attorney General Urges Supreme Court to Postpone Ruling on October 7 Massacre Inquiry Until After Elections

Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has for the first time recommended that the Supreme Court delay its decision on petitions demanding the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre until after the upcoming elections. She emphasized that during the election period, the government functions as a caretaker administration and is subject to legal restraint principles, suggesting that the incoming government should be allowed to decide on the matter to avoid a premature court ruling.

The Supreme Court had previously discussed the petitions in April, with Deputy President Noam Sohlberg proposing to postpone the decision until after the elections and leave the issue to public judgment. Baharav-Miara acknowledged the difficulties caused by the delay but stressed that no government decision has been made yet and that judicial restraint is appropriate during this sensitive political period.

Last month, the government submitted its position to the Supreme Court, also advocating for postponement but citing political disputes among election parties rather than legal restraint principles. The government argued that the investigation's nature is politically contentious and that the court should refrain from intervening at this stage to avoid influencing public sentiment.

Despite nearly three years passing since the massacre, the government informed the court in July that it had not completed legislation to establish the inquiry commission and requested the court not to interfere. The Attorney General's stance aligns with this cautious approach, underscoring the need for judicial restraint during the election period and deferring the decision to the next government.