Herzog says political October 7 probe could ‘significantly harm’ quest for truth

President Isaac Herzog criticizes the government’s establishment of a politically controlled October 7 probe, reiterating his call for a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the Hamas attack.

“If we truly wish to continue rebuilding, again and again, Jerusalem, the western Negev, the north, ourselves — our entire country — then we must remember that what matters is not ignoring the past, but learning from it and continually improving,” says Herzog at a Bible studies event at his residence marking the fast of the 10th of Tevet.

“To that end, first and foremost, we must conduct a full, thorough and statesmanlike investigation, in accordance with existing law — the Law of Commissions of Inquiry — into the horrific disaster of October 7 and the failure and collapse of judgment that led to it. I have repeated this time and again over the past year, and I reiterate this call now,” the president adds.

Last week the coalition voted in favor in a preliminary reading to establish a politically appointed probe into the October 7, 2023, failures instead of a state commission of inquiry, drawing heated protests and condemnations from opposition lawmakers and bereaved families. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies have repeatedly rejected establishing an independent probe into the worst terror attack in the country’s history, arguing that it would be biased against his government.

Herzog says that the “pain of citizens, families and communities in Israel is immense. They want answers, and they deserve answers. Including political actors as members of the commission — especially in the midst of an election year — could significantly harm this vital process and the public trust in it.”