The Inquiry That Dare Not Speak Its Name

The Israeli parliament’s approval of a bill to establish a commission of inquiry into the security failings surrounding Hamas’s October 7 attack has been met with skepticism by opposition lawmakers. They claim it would lack independence and be little more than a sham investigation.

At its core, this controversy raises a fundamental question: what does Israel stand to gain from an investigation that is widely seen as a whitewash? The proposed commission would investigate the events leading up to and following the October 7 attack, but opposition leader Yair Lapid has dismissed it as a “sham” that will only serve to “whitewash and prevent the investigation of the greatest disaster to befall the Jewish people since the Holocaust.” He wrote these words in a statement on X.

This bill is part of a long-standing dispute between the ruling coalition and opposition lawmakers. The latter have called for an independent state commission of inquiry, citing the need for a thorough and impartial investigation into one of Israel’s most traumatic events. However, the proposed bill would see six members appointed by a two-thirds majority of Knesset members, which has been dismissed as inadequate.

Israel’s history with independent inquiries is marked by missed opportunities and half-measures. Time and again, such commissions have been tasked with investigating major scandals and disasters, only to be undermined by politicians who appointed them in the first place. The results have often been disappointing: a report here, a recommendation there – but little real change.

The opposition’s decision to boycott the vote on Monday was seen as a sign of strength, a refusal to participate in what they see as a sham inquiry. However, others have criticized their stance, arguing that it amounts to obstructionism and a refusal to engage with the process that could bring about much-needed change.

But perhaps the opposition has a point. Israel’s history of independent inquiries suggests that the country is reluctant to confront its own failures and acknowledge its responsibilities. The bill will now return to the Knesset Constitution Committee for further discussion ahead of final readings, which are expected to take place next week. By then, public attention may have moved on, and the media will likely focus on other stories.

Ultimately, this inquiry raises questions about Israel’s commitment to truth and accountability. Can a country that has repeatedly failed to hold itself accountable really expect to move forward? The answers remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: only time will tell whether this latest attempt at an independent investigation will be just another missed opportunity or something more.