From the Liveblog of
Monday, March 3, 2025
Comptroller says IDF probes into October 7 failures ‘do not present the full picture’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. 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"
Addressing the Knesset State Control Committee, State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman states that the IDF’s internal investigations into the failures of October 7 “do not present the full picture” and says that he plans on issuing a report that will enable the committee to establish a state commission of inquiry.
A state commission of inquiry can be established by either the government or the State Control Committee, upon receipt of a report by the state comptroller.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is opposed to the establishment of a state commission of inquiry, and it is unlikely that the State Control Committee, in which the coalition has a majority, would vote to establish one.
Englman tells the committee that he plans on issuing a “sharp critique” that will pin “personal responsibility” on those to blame for various “shortcomings and failures” — and that his critique will “include all levels — political, military and civilian.”
His own report do not preclude the establishment of a state commission of inquiry, he continues, adding that “you, the members of the committee, can establish such a commission based on a report that we will issue.”
Englman’s report was delayed by opposition from the IDF and Shin Bet security service, he continues, citing a June 2024 High Court interim injunction ordering him to suspend the aspects of his investigation involving the two bodies. Englman has repeatedly criticized the army and the Shin Bet for failing to cooperate with his investigation and has alleged that the military was “intimidating” senior officers who gave testimony to his staff.
This week, the IDF released a series of reports on its own failures, which it presented to Englman.
These reports are important but “naturally these are military investigations,” which focus on the IDF and “do not present the full picture of the failures of October 7.”
“This further strengthens the obligation to conduct an audit of the core of the failure,” he says, arguing that his office is the “only body” capable of coordinating probes into the various governmental and security agencies involved in a wide-ranging investigation.
Englman calls on Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to order the IDF and Shin Bet to cooperate with his probe.
The Times of Israel Community.