New Member Leli Deri Sparks Controversy Over State Inquiry Committee Appointment

Leli Deri, the newest member of the Amcha Israel party led by Ofer Winter, has come under intense criticism following remarks she made about the formation of a state inquiry committee into the events of October 7. In a podcast recorded about a year ago, Deri suggested that the committee should be appointed by President Yitzhak Amit and Deputy President Noam Solberg. This statement has been seized upon by many Likud supporters, who accuse Winter of planning to form a government aligned with the left.

The issue of establishing a state inquiry committee has become highly contentious between right-wing and left-wing factions in Israel. The Attorney General recently recommended postponing the decision on the committee's nature until after the upcoming elections. Right-wing groups reject President Amit's authority to select committee members, fearing the inquiry would be politically motivated and focus on politicians, particularly Benjamin Netanyahu, rather than thoroughly investigating military failures.

Likud MK Ariel Kallner responded sharply to Deri's comments, warning that a committee appointed by the Supreme Court would never objectively investigate the judiciary's involvement in security matters or the alleged dismantling of the state during judicial reforms. He argued such a committee would lack public trust and fail to bring about necessary reforms, potentially leading to future crises.

Kallner urged Deri to engage with the Din VeZedek Forum, which advocates for a balanced national inquiry committee that would address all relevant questions, including those the Supreme Court would avoid. He emphasized that true unity must include those whose values are not represented by the Supreme Court, rejecting the notion of unity based solely on judicial activism.

The controversy highlights deep divisions within Israeli politics over accountability for the October 7 events and the role of the judiciary in national security oversight. The debate over the inquiry committee's composition and authority is expected to continue as the election approaches.