From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Unofficial Oct. 7 probe issues ‘urgent request’ to Gallant to testify after being fired
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"
The independent Civilian Commission of Inquiry investigating the government’s failures on and leading up to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack addresses an “urgent request” to outgoing Defense Minister Yoav Gallant “to come and give your version of the events of the war.”
In a letter to the recently fired defense chief, the commission states that his “testimony is significant for strengthening public trust and revealing the truth as you yourself emphasized in your speech.”
“This is your civic duty,” the commission declares.
Addressing the nation after being informed of his termination last night, Gallant called for the formation of a state commission of inquiry, insisting that “only sunlight and a truthful investigation will allow us to learn and build our strength to face future challenges.”
This is the second time in less than a month that the commission has called on Gallant to testify.
In late October, it sent warning notices to several current and senior officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, offering them a final opportunity to testify before the release of the probe’s findings in the coming weeks.
