From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Amid coalition cracks, Shas MKs back state commission of inquiry into October 7
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Members of the coalition Shas party come out in favor of a state commission of inquiry into October 7.
Addressing members of the October Council organization, which represents relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, Shas MK Yinon Azoulay states that he believes such a probe “should be established… as soon as possible,” Walla reports.
According to the Israel National News site, Shas MK Yosef Taieb tells the families that “a state commission of inquiry is needed but we will act in accordance with the directive of the Council of Torah Sages,” which runs the ultra-Orthodox party.
Interior Minister Moshe Arbel of Shas has also endorsed establishing a state commission of inquiry, in a letter to Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara last August.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rebuffed such calls, instead reportedly pushing for the creation of an alternative, political probe.
