A committee of Israeli ministers is expected to greenlight a bill to establish an October 7 investigation, put forward by Likud lawmaker Ariel Kallner, which would allow the government headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to directly and indirectly influence the committee’s composition and mandate.
Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara said on Sunday she believes the government’s proposal “prioritizes political considerations over the principles of an independent, impartial, and professional investigation” and is “riddled with fundamental flaws.”
Per the bill, the Knesset speaker, currently Likud member Amir Ohana, will select the committee’s composition in “consultation” with coalition and opposition representatives. The Knesset will then need to approve the committee’s composition with a majority of 80 members.
However, if such a majority is not reached, the House Committee chairman will choose three of the committee members, and the opposition leader will select the other three. According to the proposal, if either side refuses to appoint members to the committee, the Knesset speaker will choose the remaining members.
A group representing families of Israelis killed and wounded in Hamas’ October 7 attack called on the Israeli public on Sunday to join its fight against what it calls a politicized commission of inquiry and said it plans to hold a protest outside government offices in Jerusalem on Monday.