Submarine Affair State Commission Summons Netanyahu, Former Officials to Testify

The State Commission of Inquiry into the Submarine Affair has summoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior figures, including former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and former National Security Council head Yossi Cohen, to testify. These individuals had previously received personal warning letters regarding their potential involvement in the perceived failures being investigated.

Testimony will commence on November 1, 2024, and will be held behind closed doors. Prime Minister Netanyahu is scheduled to testify on December 7, 2024. The commission stated that the witness examination phase will focus on personal aspects and evidence related to the warnings. The commission previously submitted a report in February 2026 concerning systemic issues and made recommendations for improvement.

Among those called to testify are also Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who has already testified, former President Reuven Rivlin, and several retired generals and brigadier generals, including Avriel Bar Yosef, Eliyahu Sharvit, Yaakov Nagel, Yaakov Amidror, Amos Gilad, and Moshe Ya'alon. The commission was established during the Bennett-Lapid government to examine decision-making processes in the procurement of submarines and naval vessels between 2009 and 2016.

The commission clarified that the warning notices are based on the current understanding of the evidence and that findings may change after the investigation is complete. The warnings cite "deep disruption in work processes and decision-making mechanisms in a series of sensitive issues, creating a risk to national security and harming foreign relations and economic interests of the State of Israel." Regarding Netanyahu, the commission noted his conduct "led to deep and systematic disruption in work processes and force-building and harmed decision-making mechanisms in a series of sensitive issues."

Netanyahu's office responded that the submarines are crucial for Israel's national security against Iran and that his decisions ensured the country's existence. The commission also indicated that Yossi Cohen might be implicated due to alleged unprofessional, careless, and non-transparent conduct as head of the National Security Council, and that Moshe Ya'alon could be implicated for actions contrary to government decisions during his tenure as Strategic Affairs Minister and Defense Minister.