Israel's Knesset has approved on first reading a bill providing for the establishment of a national inquiry commission to investigate the October 7, 2023 events.
The ruling coalition states that the new mechanism will serve as an alternative to the state inquiry commission and will enable more objective investigation of the events. According to the bill, the commission can only be established with the support of at least 80 deputies.
If no consensus is reached, a bipartisan commission will be formed consisting of three representatives from the ruling coalition and three from the opposition.
The document grants the commission broad investigative powers. It provides for sessions to be held open to the public and broadcast live, as well as for family members of the deceased to participate in the proceedings as observers.
The bill's passage on first reading ensures its retention in the legislative process. This means that if the Knesset is dissolved prematurely, the document can be brought back for discussion by the next parliamentary session.