The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, approved a bill in its first reading on Monday to establish a commission of inquiry into the security failures that led to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. The bill passed with 59 votes in favor, none against, and no abstentions, though opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote.
Purpose and Composition of the Proposed Commission
An explanatory note to the bill stated that its purpose is to bring about a full, thorough, and independent investigation of the events of the October 7 massacre and the subsequent wars. Under the proposed law, the commission would consist of six members appointed by a two-thirds majority of Knesset members. If no agreement is reached, three members would be appointed by the ruling coalition and three by the opposition. Former hostages or bereaved family members would serve as observers, and commission deliberations would be broadcast to the public.
Likud party lawmaker Ariel Kallner, who initiated the legislation, defended the bipartisan composition. He said in a statement, “Only a commission appointed in an egalitarian manner will allow us both to uncover the truth and maintain the public’s trust. This will be a commission that can investigate any entity that influenced Israel’s security policy at its core.”
Opposition Boycott and Calls for State Commission
Opposition figures have said they would boycott a commission appointed by politicians, arguing it would be a sham. If the opposition boycotts, the power to appoint members would fall to the speaker of parliament, effectively handing control to the governing coalition. The opposition has long called for an independent state commission of inquiry, whose members would be appointed by the president of the Supreme Court—an institution at odds with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid explained the boycott on X, writing, “The opposition will not be part of a sham whose sole purpose is to whitewash and prevent the investigation of the greatest disaster to befall the Jewish people since the Holocaust.”
Next Steps and Public Protests
The bill will now return to the Knesset Constitution Committee for further discussion ahead of final readings, expected next week before the Knesset dissolves. On Thursday, thousands protested in Tel Aviv and across Israel to mark 1,000 days since the October 7 attack, demanding a state commission of inquiry. Police reported eight arrests for disturbances during the demonstrations.
