Bereaved families to join Knesset debate with Netanyahu on inquiry into Oct. 7 failures

The October Council, made up of hundreds of families affected by the Hamas attacks on October 7, will attend the debate and convene a state commission of inquiry at a prior press conference.

Bereaved family members will join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s 40-signature Knesset debate on Monday on the creation of a state commission of inquiry into the government’s handling of the October 7, 2023 massacre.

The October Council, made up of hundreds of families affected by the Hamas attacks on October 7, will attend the debate and convene a state commission of inquiry at a prior press conference.

“It is inconceivable that more than two years have passed since this horrific massacre and that no state commission of inquiry has been established,” the October Council said before the debate.

Debate in the Knesset is based on a law according to which if 40 MKs sign a request, it is permitted to hold a debate on a certain issue requiring the presence of the prime minister.

The opposition Yesh Atid party launched the 40-signature debate, titled “Creation of a state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7.”

In March, a similar plenary session took place in the Knesset, which descended into chaos when a confrontation between bereaved families and officers escalated into a fight at the foot of a staircase leading to the visitors’ section of the plenum. At least two fell during the incident.

October Council demands respect for bereaved families

On Sunday, the October Council called for bereaved families to be treated with respect following the past incident, in a letter addressed to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.

A state commission of inquiry is the most powerful investigation in the justice system and the only one that operates independently of the political level. Its members are appointed by the chief justice of the Supreme Court and have the power to subpoena witnesses and make personal recommendations regarding individuals.

Other types of investigations are commissions of inquiry appointed by the government and the Knesset.

An investigation into the events of October 7 has been repeatedly blocked by Israeli politicians, despite polls showing enormous public support for such an investigation, which has been encouraged by victims of the attacks and their families.

At the end of the debate, the plenum is expected to vote on its position on the issue.

The coalition’s Religious Zionist Party (RZP), led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, is not expected to vote with the rest of the coalition.

The RZP announced last week that it would boycott coalition votes until a bill led by Smotrich to provide tax credits to reservists is passed.

Eliav Breuer contributed to this report.