Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support on Sunday evening for the formation of a commission of inquiry to examine the failures surrounding the October 7 attack. Speaking before the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, he stated he is fully prepared to be investigated: “I support a commission of inquiry. I have no problem being questioned. I want a thorough investigation — let them question me from all sides: right, left, above and below.”
“No games — we must know what happened there”
Netanyahu addressed the failures that enabled the breach into Israel and the subsequent massacre, emphasizing that the facts must not be swept under the rug: “Something here doesn’t make sense. How did simple vehicles break through the fence? No one will evade responsibility. No games. We must know what happened there.”
In his remarks, Netanyahu conveyed a determined tone in favor of uncovering the full truth, explicitly calling for the establishment of an independent commission with full authority. In doing so, he seeks to signal to the public that even the political leadership is prepared to be held accountable.
On public opinion: “Ask who will choose the commission”
At the same time, Netanyahu expressed skepticism about the public’s willingness to support a state commission of inquiry if it were appointed by the judicial establishment.
“Polls ask the public — are you in favor of a state commission of inquiry? And everyone answers: of course, who wouldn’t want to investigate the massacre,” he said. “But when the question is whether you support a commission appointed by Justice Amit — that’s a different story.”
His comments reflect concern over possible political and judicial influence on the composition of the commission, hinting at ongoing tensions between elected officials and the judicial system, particularly when it comes to questions of responsibility, authority, and leadership in times of crisis.
A call for unity
Addressing members of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and the public at large, Netanyahu presented his support for an inquiry not as capitulation to pressure, but as a leadership move. He emphasized that there will be no whitewashing and no evasion — but also no automatic transfer of authority to unelected officials.
“There must be a commission of inquiry — with full authority,” he concluded.
