The Knesset plenum is debating the bill to establish a political commission of inquiry into the October 7, 2023 massacre, which would appoint investigators chosen by politicians. MK Ariel Kallner (Religious Zionism) argued that anyone who has held a senior role since the 2005 Gaza disengagement cannot serve as an investigator because they should themselves be investigated. Channel 12's Daphna Liel reported the bill would create a six-member commission — half appointed by the prime minister and half by the opposition, but the opposition is boycotting the process, and the commission can operate with only coalition members present.
The Knesset plenum is debating the bill to establish a political commission of inquiry into the October 7, 2023 massacre, just minutes after the legislation passed its first reading at 21:24 Jerusalem time. During the debate, MK Ariel Kallner (Religious Zionism) argued that anyone who has held a senior role since the 2005 Gaza disengagement cannot serve as an investigator because they should themselves be investigated.
As The Zioneer reported at 21:24 Jerusalem, the bill cleared its first reading with 59 votes in favor and none against, after the opposition boycotted the vote. The same report, citing Channel 12's Daphna Liel, detailed that the proposed commission would be composed of six members — half appointed by Prime Minister Netanyahu and half by the opposition — but the opposition's announced boycott would allow the commission to operate with only coalition-appointed members present.
The bill's advancement follows the Knesset Constitution Committee's approval on June 9, as The Zioneer reported at the time. The legislation has drawn persistent opposition criticism as a political commission rather than an independent state commission of inquiry, with opposition leader Naftali Bennett accusing Netanyahu of politicizing the process in a June 7 report.
The bill now moves to committee review before second and third readings. It remains unresolved whether the opposition will participate in the process and what the final composition of the commission will be, as the coalition has not yet broached a compromise.
5 developments
- DevelopingKnesset committee approves bill for political commission of inquiry into October 7 massacre
- DevelopingBennett accuses Netanyahu of politicizing October 7 inquiry committee appointments
- DevelopingKnesset plenum debates national commission of inquiry, AG split, and election laws
- DevelopingBennett slams political probe bill, pledges state commission of inquiry in next government
Source and signal
- Internal intake