Gantz reads letter in Knesset from bereaved brother accusing PM of ‘tormenting Israelis’

Addressing the Knesset plenum, National Unity chairman Benny Gantz reads a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu written by Yarden Adam, the brother of Mapal Adam, who was murdered at the Nova festival on October 7.

“I wanted to tell you about Mapal, my perfect, kindhearted, moral, funny and beautiful sister whom I miss so much, but I don’t believe it will reach your heart. I assume you are present here at a meeting that was forced upon you,” Gantz reads, as Netanyahu sits in the plenum.

“Mr. Prime Minister, we both served as fighters and commanders in an elite unit, educated with the same values ​​of taking responsibility, investigating failures and correcting mistakes. We both know that what has been happening since October 7 completely contradicts these values,” he continues. He adds that he believes that Netanyahu, in the depths of his heart, knows that “the establishment of a state commission of inquiry is inevitable.”

“The only question is how much longer you will continue to tear apart and torment Israeli society and us in particular until we get there.”

Gantz’s address takes place at the beginning of a so-called 40 signatures debate on the topic of the establishment of a state commission of inquiry, which Netanyahu has consistently opposed.

Switching to his own words, Gantz declares that avoiding establishing an official probe “is a prelude to anarchy.” He condemns what he says are government efforts to allow those under investigation to “choose the investigators.”

Last week, Likud MK Ariel Kallner presented a proposal for an alternative investigatory body whose members would be appointed by the Knesset.

Turning to Netanyahu, Gantz states, “We will not agree to any hybrid creation that will replace a state commission of inquiry.”

Following his speech, Gantz presents Netanyahu with a binder full of letters from bereaved families.