Israeli Attorney General Urges Supreme Court to Delay Decision on October Inquiry Committee

Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has requested the Supreme Court to postpone its ruling on establishing a state inquiry committee to investigate the events of the October war until after the formation of the next government. Despite warning that the delay could harm the investigation's effectiveness and cause evidentiary damage, she emphasized the need to respect the election period and the restraint required of an outgoing government.

In her submission to the Supreme Court, Baharav-Miara reiterated her position that a state inquiry committee is the most appropriate legal mechanism to examine the October war and related events. She highlighted the committee's professional independence and political detachment as key advantages. She described the October events as exceptionally severe, justifying and necessitating a thorough investigation capable of uncovering the truth, drawing lessons, and assigning personal responsibility for failures if needed.

However, she argued that the current government, which is in a caretaker role due to the ongoing election period for the 26th Knesset, should not make this critical decision. Instead, she proposed that the incoming government should determine the fate of the inquiry committee. Baharav-Miara requested the court to allow the state to provide an update on the matter only after the new government is established.

She also criticized the prolonged delay, noting that nearly two years and ten months have passed since the war began without a government decision on the inquiry's format or start date. She called this an exceptional situation and cautioned that further postponement could undermine the investigation's quality. Thus, while affirming the urgency and necessity of the inquiry, she seeks to defer the decision to the next government following the elections.