Submarine Affair: Netanyahu and Zamir Recalled to Testify Before State Commission

The state commission of inquiry into naval vessels has summoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to testify again as part of the submarine affair investigation. They are among a list of witnesses scheduled to begin giving evidence on November 1, with the process expected to span two months. This phase of the inquiry will focus on personal aspects and evidence related to warnings.

Other prominent figures called to testify include former Mossad head Yossi Cohen, former President Reuven Rivlin, and Navy Commander Eyal Harel. The commission, headed by retired judge Ashal Grunis, previously presented its findings and recommendations to the government in February.

These findings highlighted severe deficiencies in defense decision-making processes, noting that Israeli governments for years failed to establish clear defense policy, leaving the IDF in strategic ambiguity. This led to ad-hoc decisions that endangered national security. The commission found that the political-security cabinet often functioned as a rubber stamp for defense system decisions, with members unable to challenge presented data.

Key failures identified include the chaotic and undocumented handling of arms sales by allies to third parties, the National Security Council exceeding its authority by engaging in improper execution and procurement, and a lack of a professional body in the Defense Ministry to formulate force-building policy. The Navy was also found to have a flawed organizational culture, including coordinating with commercial entities and presenting manipulated data to political decision-makers.

To address these issues, the commission recommended establishing a permanent expert committee to advise the cabinet on security risk management. It also proposed formalizing a mandatory force-building process where the government prioritizes threats and approves multi-year plans, preventing external budgets from bypassing priorities. Additionally, the Planning Directorate in the Planning Branch was recommended to become a joint Army-Defense Ministry body to enhance civilian oversight. Former Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, former National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror, and former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon were also summoned.