A Fight for Truth: Families Demand Justice After October 7 Attack

The Israeli government has taken a step that has left many families upset. They approved a plan to investigate the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. But this plan is not what the families of the victims wanted. They had hoped for an independent investigation. Instead, the government will pick the people who will look into what happened.

Netanyahu Under Fire

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been under fire for not taking responsibility for the attack. He has also resisted calls for a state commission to investigate the failures that led to the attack. This attack was the deadliest in Israel's history and sparked a two-year war in Gaza.

Controversial Bill Advances

On Wednesday, Netanyahu's coalition voted to advance a bill. This bill gives parliament members the power to choose who will be on the inquiry panel. It also gives Netanyahu's cabinet the power to set the panel's goals.

Critics say this move goes against Israel's 1968 law. That law says the president of the Supreme Court should appoint an independent panel for such investigations.

Families Demand Justice

Families of the victims are not happy with this plan. They say only a state commission can bring those responsible to justice.

• Eyal Eshel, who lost his daughter in the attack, called this a "day of disaster." He said justice must be done.
• Surveys show that most people in Israel support a state commission to investigate the country's biggest security failure in decades.

Netanyahu's Defense

Netanyahu says the panel will be independent and will win public trust. But the opposition says this is just a way for Netanyahu to cover up the truth. They say the investigation will ultimately be controlled by Netanyahu and his coalition.

If the politicians can't agree on the panel, the head of parliament will decide. The head of parliament is a member of Netanyahu's Likud party.

A Father's Plea

Jon Polin, whose son was taken hostage and later found dead, supports a state commission. He says it's not about punishing anyone or bringing back his son. He says it's about making sure nothing like this ever happens again.

Hersh Goldberg-Polin was one of dozens of hostages taken from the Nova music festival during the 2023 attack.