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Submarine Commission to Summon Netanyahu and Other Senior Officials for Closed-Door Testimony
The State Commission of Inquiry into the Submarine Affair announced on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, that it will begin hearing witness testimonies behind closed doors starting November 1. This phase of the investigation, led by retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Asher Grunis, will focus on personal responsibility and the evidentiary basis concerning those who received warning letters. The commission previously issued an interim report to the government in February detailing systemic failures and serious shortcomings in defense decision-making processes.
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What happened
- 01The State Commission of Inquiry into the Submarine Affair will begin closed-door witness hearings on November 1, 2026.
- 02Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a personal warning letter and is scheduled to testify before the commission on December 7.
- 03The commission warned Netanyahu that his decisions between 2009 and 2016 may have harmed national security and foreign relations.
- 04Netanyahu's defense team has not yet reviewed the investigation materials or submitted a witness list to the commission.
- 05Former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, former President Reuven Rivlin, and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir are also summoned to testify.
- 06The upcoming phase of the inquiry focuses on personal responsibility following a February report that detailed systemic decision-making failures.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is among five individuals who received personal warning letters from the commission. The warning letters cited potential harm to national security, foreign relations, and economic interests, noting that Netanyahu's conduct between 2009 and 2016 led to deep and systematic disruptions in operational processes and force buildup. Netanyahu is scheduled to testify on December 7, but his defense strategy remains unclear as his representatives have not yet reviewed the investigation materials or submitted a witness list.
In addition to Netanyahu, the commission has summoned several other current and former senior officials to testify. These include former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, former President Reuven Rivlin, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, former Mossad Director Yossi Cohen, former Navy Commander Eliezer Marom, Navy Commander Eyal Harel, and former National Security Advisor Yaakov Nagel. Zamir, who is among the senior witnesses, is not suspected of any wrongdoing in the case.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 6 newsrooms. Updated
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Submarine Commission to Summon Netanyahu and Other Senior Officials for Closed-Door Testimony
