The Supreme Court in Israel considered petitions demanding that Benjamin Netanyahu's government be forced to form an official investigation committee into the October 7, 2023 attack, amid continuing political debate over the responsibilities of the security failure. According to opinion polls, a large percentage of Israelis support such an investigation to determine those responsible for the failure to prevent a Hamas attack.

Published on: 04/23/2026 - 21:33

On Thursday, the Supreme Court in Israel examined petitions calling for the government to be obligated to form an official investigation committee regarding the attack of October 7, 2023.

So far, Benjamin Netanyahu's government has refused to establish such a committee, even though it is usually approved in cases of major failures at the state level.

Opinion polls indicate that a wide segment of Israelis support opening an investigation to determine responsibility for the failure to prevent the Hamas attack, which is considered the bloodiest in Israel's history and was the spark that launched the war in the Gaza Strip.

According to the mechanisms in place, the decision to form an official investigation committee rests with the government, while the President of the Supreme Court appoints its members.

On the other hand, the ruling coalition led by Netanyahu accused the Supreme Court of political bias.

During the hearing, government lawyer Michael Rabelo asserted before the judges that the court “does not have the authority to compel the government” to make a decision of this kind.

It should be noted that the Prime Minister refuses to form such a committee before the end of the wars that Israel has been waging in the region since 2023.

In the face of calls for an investigation, Netanyahu's government, the most right-wing in Israel's history, resorted to a draft law submitted by his Likud party to establish a "special government investigation committee."

The draft stipulates that the members of the committee will be chosen equally between representatives of the ruling coalition and the opposition, with the power of appointment being given to the Speaker of the Knesset if the opposition abstains from participating, giving the ruling coalition effective control over its formation.

The government and Likud representatives stressed that this committee will be independent.

Citizens and non-governmental organizations, including the Movement for Quality Governance in Israel, submitted petitions to the Supreme Court to challenge the draft law establishing this special committee.

The controversy over the committee comes before the general elections, which must be held no later than the end of October, in a climate of intense polarization, especially regarding the Prime Minister.

France 24/AFP

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