Israel advances bill for a politically appointed inquiry into Oct. 7 failures

The Israeli government has moved forward with legislation to create a “state-national commission of inquiry” into the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, proposing a panel whose members would be chosen by politicians rather than by the president of the Supreme Court. The Knesset gave a preliminary reading to the bill on Dec.

24. Under the proposal, a commission of about six members would have half its members selected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition and half by the parliamentary opposition, departing from existing law that calls for members to be chosen by the president of the Supreme Court.

Mr. Netanyahu said the plan had a “broad consensus” and was “the only way the truth will come to light,” while opponents in Parliament vehemently opposed it and vowed not to cooperate. Critics in and out of Parliament say the proposal is an attempt to delay or evade responsibility; public polling cited in coverage shows a majority of Israelis prefer a state commission held under existing law.

Survivors, former captives and relatives of the dead — some 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken captive on Oct. 7, according to Israeli authorities — have pressed for an independent inquiry, and more than 200 families signed an open letter calling for a traditional state commission.

Key Topics

World, Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset, Hamas, Israeli Supreme Court, Victims' Families