Israeli gov't no longer has mandate to avoid Oct. 7 state probe, bereaved parents say

“A government that has lost its majority has no mandate to erase the October 7 massacre and bury the truth,” the families concluded.

A group of over 1,500 families of victims of the October 7 Hamas massacre, called the “October Council,” demanded in a statement on Thursday that the government form a State Commission of Inquiry now that it has lost its majority.

“Following the withdrawal of Shas and United Torah Judaism, the Israeli government is now effectively operating as a minority government—without a majority in the Knesset and without public or moral mandate to continue blocking the establishment of a State Commission of Inquiry into the most horrific disaster in the country’s history,” the families wrote.

“The October Council, which brings together over 1,500 bereaved families, families of hostages, survivors of captivity, and massacre survivors, emphasizes that a government without a majority also lacks legitimacy to bury the truth.”

“It is inconceivable that a government which has lost its majority continues to promote alternative legislation or internal committees, when 83% of the public, across all sectors and political views, demands the immediate establishment of a State Commission of Inquiry.

The current government is incapable of legislating, yet continues to obstruct investigation. In whose name? For what purpose?”

Calls for Shas and UTJ to help establish a probe into the events of October 7

“We hereby call on the leaders of Shas and United Torah Judaism, MK Aryeh Deri and MK Moshe Gafni, to join the resounding call of the bereaved families and the overwhelming majority of the Israeli public to establish a state commission of inquiry into October 7,” the families wrote.

“Immediately after the Meron disaster [in April 2021], MK Gafni declared, ‘A State Commission of Inquiry must be established to investigate the disaster and prevent its recurrence.’ Now, in the face of a far more painful and extensive failure, we ask—where is that same commitment?” The families wrote.

The Meron Committee found Netanyahu among those who were personally responsible for the disaster, but refrained from issuing any recommendations due to his position as prime minister.

“A government that has lost its majority has no mandate to erase the October 7 massacre and bury the truth,” the families concluded.

A State Commission of Inquiry is the most powerful probe in Israel's legal system, and the only type of probe that operates completely independently of the political echelon.

Its members are appointed by the Chief Justice, and it has the power to subpoena witnesses and make personal, punitive recommendations regarding individuals. The other types of probes are government-appointed and parliament-appointed inquiry committees.

The government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has cited a lack of public trust in the High Court as a justification for an alternative committee, whose members will be appointed jointly by the coalition and opposition. However, polls have consistently shown a significant majority of Israelis preferring a State Commission of Inquiry over any other form of inquiry.