A Commission of Inquiry Will Be a Serious Blow to Our War on Hamas

Maariv, Israel, February 22

The call by current and former political figures and high-ranking military officials to form a commission of inquiry for the October 7 events would have profound implications at this point, posing a significant threat to the Israel Defense Forces and our ongoing battle against Hamas. Many senior commanders have been forced to leave the battlefield in order to protect their tarnished reputations and some have even been compelled to step down. It is worthwhile to note the examples of Prime Minister Golda Meir, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, and other senior officers and politicians whose removal from their positions in both the army and politics stemmed from the findings of the Agranat Commission, which was established to investigate the shortcomings of the Yom Kippur War. Responsibility for the failure rests with both the army and the political establishment, which fell short of accurately assessing the intentions of the enemy and anticipating the impending attacks. The events of October 7 were a glaring oversight, the repercussions of which will resonate through the ages. We must decide whether our capable commanders, who are effectively guiding our forces in the war against the enemy, will now be compelled to retain teams of lawyers in preparation for appearances before an investigative committee. Who will be left to lead the charge? It is inconceivable and illogical to consider establishing a commission of inquiry during a time of war. The moment will arrive, a commission will be formed, and the stark conclusions will serve as a poignant reminder of the tremendous misstep in Israel’s past. The IDF has announced the initiation of an internal investigation into the events of October 7, which will commence in the coming days. It has been made clear that this process will be conducted by IDF commanders themselves, as opposed to an external investigative entity. Meanwhile, State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman has mentioned his ongoing audit this week, indicating that individual conclusions will also be forthcoming. This is not a time for divisiveness or for the convening of investigative bodies. As living beings, we must await the fulfillment of our war objectives: the safe return of the hostages, the dismantling of Hamas’ infrastructure, and the management of the looming threats posed by Hizbullah and Iran. —David Ben Basat (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)