Bill for political commission of inquiry into Oct. 7 to be brought for first reading this week – report

The coalition bill to create a politically appointed commission of inquiry into the October 7, 2023, Hamas invasion and massacres is likely to be brought for its first reading in the Knesset this week, Channel 12 reports.

The bill passed a preliminary hearing in December but has been fiercely criticized by the opposition, which has vowed to boycott any commission set up under the terms of the legislation.

According to the draft law, the coalition and opposition would each appoint three members of the six-member commission. But even if the opposition refuses to appoint members for the panel, as it says it will, the commission could still operate with just the coalition-appointed members, according to the legislation.

The opposition has demanded a state commission of inquiry, which is entirely independent of the government once it is is created, but requires a cabinet decision to be established. The government has strongly resisted a state commission however.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other cabinet ministers have claimed in public that a commission appointed by Supreme Court President Isaac Amit would not have the trust of the general public. The government has not however made this argument during hearings over petitions in the High Court of Justice demanding a state commission, arguing simply that only the government has the authority to establish a state commission.