From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 5, 2025
AG tells government it must make decision on Oct. 7 investigation, probe must be ‘severed’ from politics
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara tells the government it must make a decision on how to investigate the failures behind the October 7 Hamas invasion and massacres.
The High Court of Justice told the government in February to provide it with an update on the matter by May 11, in the framework of petitions to the court asking that it order the government to open a state commission of inquiry into the catastrophic attack, something the government has strenuously resisted doing.
A hearing in the cabinet to discuss the issue is scheduled for today.
Writing to the prime minister and the cabinet, Baharav-Miara says she believes a state commission of inquiry is the best framework for such an investigation due to the powers such a commission would wield in gathering information, and the transparent nature of its work.
“The government must take a reasoned decision… and it must present its reasoning in the framework of the notice that it will provide to the court dealing with the issue,” the attorney general says.
Baharav-Miara says it is crucial that the investigation into the events be “severed” from the political echelon “in everything to do with the ability to get at the truth,” and in order to ensure trust in the results of the probe.
Other public commissions, such as a governmental commission of examination, can be appointed but they have fewer powers than a state commission and are seen as more political since their members are appointed by the government, unlike a state commission of inquiry whose members are appointed by the president of the Supreme Court.
The Times of Israel Community.