Israeli Attorney General Supports State Inquiry Commission on October 7 Massacre After Elections
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Israel's Attorney General supports forming a state inquiry commission to investigate the October 7 massacre but insists it be established only after the next Knesset elections. This stance responds to petitions demanding immediate action and has sparked criticism from bereaved families who warn that delays risk losing vital evidence. The government previously asked the Supreme Court not to intervene, citing legislative delays.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara backs inquiry commission after upcoming elections.
- She says the outgoing government is barred from deciding during election period.
- The commission is deemed the proper tool for investigating October 7 massacre.
- Bereaved families warn delay risks losing evidence and accountability.
- Government asked Supreme Court not to intervene, citing legislative delays.
- The October Council says elections will decide if inquiry or another massacre occurs.
Israel's Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, informed the Supreme Court on August 26 that she supports establishing a state inquiry commission to investigate the October 7 massacre, but only after the upcoming Knesset elections. This statement was made in response to petitions from several organizations demanding the commission be formed immediately.
Baharav-Miara reiterated that a state inquiry commission is the appropriate legal mechanism for investigating the events of October 7 and the subsequent war, emphasizing its unique statutory features that enable a professional, effective, and independent investigation. However, she noted that the significant time elapsed since the war's outbreak and the outgoing government's failure to decide on the matter raise challenges that could undermine the investigation's effectiveness.
Due to the current election period and precedent requiring a caretaker government to exercise restraint, Baharav-Miara argued that the decision should be deferred to the next government elected after the vote. This position drew sharp criticism from the October Council, a coalition of bereaved families and survivors, who warned that delaying the commission risks losing crucial evidence and accountability. They declared that the upcoming elections will determine whether a state inquiry is established or if another massacre occurs.
Last month, the government told the Supreme Court it had not completed legislation for the inquiry commission due to scheduling constraints and urged the court not to intervene. The October Council accused the government of stalling to obscure the country's worst disaster. The Supreme Court is now considering these competing positions amid the political transition.
