Cover-Up or Compromise?
The "Whitewash Committee": Government Approves Non-State Inquiry into October 7 Failures
The government voted to establish a non-state inquiry committee into the October 7 failures, leading to immediate public backlash as opposition leaders accuse the coalition of attempting to shield itself from a full, independent investigation.
The Israeli government voted this morning to establish an "independent" inquiry committee to investigate the failures surrounding the October 7 massacre, explicitly rejecting the establishment of a State Commission of Inquiry, the most powerful investigative body under Israeli law.
The decision was met with immediate and harsh condemnation from the opposition and civil society groups, who labeled the move a "cover-up" designed to shield the government from genuine accountability.
The resolution mandates that the committee’s composition should "reflect the broadest possible public consensus." Furthermore, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will establish a ministerial committee that must recommend the specific mandate and powers of the non-state commission within 45 days.
Ministers Debate the Investigation
During the cabinet meeting, ministers debated the nature of the inquiry. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir advocated for a "national outline without people from the judicial system," arguing that those on the bench are part of the groups that need to be investigated.
"The investigators must not become the investigated," Ben Gvir said, noting that former heads of the Shin Bet and Aman had previously stated that Hamas was deterred and criticizing the former legal advisor for opposing changes to terrorist prison conditions.
Minister Shlomo Karhi pushed for a broad national commission similar to the one established in the U.S. after 9/11, stating, "The time has come to prepare for the establishment of a national commission of inquiry with the broadest possible consensus."
However, Transportation Minister Miri Regev opposed any committee established in cooperation with the opposition, advocating instead for a "blitz legislation" to quickly establish a broad-consensus commission within two weeks.
Opposition Vows to Fight "Whitewash"
Opposition figures attacked the decision, calling it an attempt by the government to investigate itself.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid stated the government is "doing everything to run away from the truth and evade responsibility," insisting that there is a broad public consensus for a State Commission of Inquiry, which is what the country needs. Lapid warned that the refusal to investigate their failures "endangers the security of the state, constitutes an insult, and is an evasion of responsibility."
Former IDF Chief of Staff and Knesset member Gadi Eisenkot fiercely denounced the move, calling it the "Whitewash and Scheme Committee." Eisenkot argued that it is unacceptable for the individuals responsible for the disaster to dictate the committee's composition and mandate under the pretense of "broad consensus," arguing the move is driven by "fear and hysteria of the results of a true, independent investigation."
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum also weighed in on the related statements made by Minister Orit Struck, who reportedly questioned whether returning the hostages should remain the main goal of the war. The Forum stated that Struck's comments exposed the painful truth that the government no longer defines the return of the hostages as a central war aim, calling this failure a central chapter in the future inquiry. They reiterated, "The return of our brothers and sisters from captivity is a paramount Israeli, Jewish, and moral value, a nation that does not bring back its sons has no right to exist."
The Movement for Quality Government condemned the decision as a "transparent attempt to evade a real and independent investigation of the biggest failure in the country's history," vowing to pursue all legal options to compel the High Court of Justice to mandate a full State Commission of Inquiry.