Israeli Attorney General Supports State Inquiry Commission on October 7 Massacre After Elections

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.