Full Breakdown
Proposal for Comprehensive Inquiry into October 7 Failures
2/12/2026, 5:00:10 AM
Context of the Inquiry
The debate surrounding the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7, 2023, has primarily focused on procedural aspects, such as the appointment of members and the commission's leadership. However, a new initiative from the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) aims to redirect attention to the substantive issues that need investigation. This proposal, developed by former hostage Gadi Moses and attorney Gil Avriel, emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive inquiry into the events surrounding the attack by Hamas and the subsequent war.
Proposed Scope of the Inquiry
The JPPI initiative advocates for a commission that goes beyond merely assessing operational failures on October 7. It suggests that the inquiry should encompass a wide range of political, military, and economic decisions that influenced Israel's approach to Gaza leading up to the attack. Key areas of investigation include the development of Israel's security doctrine, intelligence assessments, and the relationship between political leadership and security agencies. The proposal also emphasizes the need to evaluate the preparedness of state authorities during the attack and throughout the war, as well as the provision of civilian services.
Structural Recommendations
The initiative outlines specific structural recommendations for the commission, including its establishment under the Commissions of Inquiry Law of 1968, with appointments made by the president of the Supreme Court. It proposes a five-member commission empowered to form subcommittees focused on intelligence and security doctrine. Additionally, the initiative calls for a budget and staffing that reflect the extensive scope of the inquiry, aiming to ensure a thorough examination of the issues at hand.
Balancing Historical Context and Efficiency
A significant aspect of the proposal is the temporal scope of the investigation. The authors suggest focusing primarily on the years 2018 to 2023 while allowing for background consideration of earlier events, such as Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. They also propose examining the political and security decisions regarding hostages in the years 2024-2025. This approach seeks to balance the need for a comprehensive inquiry with the practicalities of time and resources.
Official Statements & Responses
The JPPI initiative is positioned as a professional contribution to the ongoing discourse about the inquiry, aiming to ensure that the commission's mandate is robust enough to uncover the truth. Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara has indicated that a state commission is the appropriate legal mechanism for addressing failures of this magnitude. However, the Israeli government has been hesitant to establish a full commission, citing the ongoing war and concerns about politicization.
Criticism & Opposition
Calls for a state commission have emerged from various stakeholders, including bereaved families, hostage relatives, and opposition lawmakers. Critics argue that the government's reluctance to form a commission reflects a failure to address the deep-rooted issues exposed by the October 7 attack. The JPPI initiative seeks to shift the focus from political blame to institutional design, emphasizing the need for a well-defined mandate to restore public trust and facilitate healing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A commission that looks only at tactical breakdowns, the initiative suggests, risks missing the deeper patterns that made such a breakdown possible.” — Gadi Moses, Former Hostage
- “By returning to the mandates of past commissions - from Agranat’s examination of pre-war intelligence to Or’s scrutiny of state-minority relations - Moses and Avriel argue that the scope of inquiry will ultimately determine whether October 7 is treated as a singular collapse or as the culmination of long-term policy and structural trends.” — Gil Avriel, Attorney
The JPPI initiative represents a significant effort to ensure that the inquiry into the October 7 failures addresses not only immediate operational issues but also the broader systemic factors that contributed to the crisis.
