Israel is moving forward with legislation to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 Hamas attacks, despite significant political controversy and opposition criticism. The proposed bill, introduced by members of the ruling coalition, seeks to restructure the appointment process for the commission, replacing the current model where members are selected by the Supreme Court’s chief justice with one led by the Knesset.

Under the new framework, the commission would consist of six members appointed by the Knesset following a vote requiring the support of at least 80 lawmakers. If a supermajority is not achieved—an outcome anticipated due to opposition boycott—the coalition and the opposition leader would each appoint three members, with coalition appointments needing backing from at least 61 coalition lawmakers and opposition selections requiring a majority from opposition MKs. Notably, if opposition parties refuse to participate, the commission could convene with just three members from the coalition.

The legislation includes strict eligibility criteria for commissioners. Those who held senior roles 18 years prior to October 7—as Supreme Court justices, prime ministers, military officers of major general rank or higher, heads or deputies of the Shin Bet, attorney generals, or military legal advisors—would be ineligible. At least one appointee must be qualified to serve on the Supreme Court, with at least ten years of legal experience.

The bill also provides for the appointment of four overseers from among the families of war casualties. These representatives would be granted participation rights in certain aspects of the inquiry. The commission’s hearings are expected to be public and broadcast, though the legislation allows the body discretion over the timing and manner of such broadcasts.

The bill’s passage has been contentious. Opposition lawmakers have refused to engage in committee discussions, denouncing the legislation as an attempt to shield the government from accountability. The October Council, representing victims and bereaved families, criticized the bill as an effort to whitewash government failures surrounding the attacks, condemning it as "disgraceful" and designed to obscure the truth about the violence experienced by their loved ones.

Earlier amendments to the bill included the temporary removal of language calling for a “full, thorough, and independent investigation,” stirring further concern among critics. The Knesset’s Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee legal adviser warned that the proposed structure could undermine the credibility and integrity of the inquiry.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who remains in office despite the political fallout from the attacks, has publicly opposed leaving judicial appointments in charge of the investigation. In February, he submitted a detailed 55-page response to the State Comptroller’s probe into the events, attributing responsibility to failures within the security establishment while seemingly downplaying his own role. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid has accused Netanyahu of manipulating and selectively editing these documents to evade accountability.

Despite broad public support for an independent investigation, efforts to launch a state inquiry have been hindered by tensions between the government and the judiciary. The bill’s advancement underscores ongoing fractures within Israel’s political system regarding how to address the fallout from the Hamas attacks and hold officials responsible.