Netanyahu Wants To Investigate Himself

Right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Bibi "Bomb Bomb" Netanyahu has long resisted an investigation into the security lapses surrounding the deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israeli civilians that led to the war in Gaza. Now, he's agreed to an inquiry, but only if his government oversees it. From the Associated Press: 

"After repeated delays, Israel’s government has agreed to launch an investigation into the government failures that led to the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that triggered the war in Gaza.

But questions about the investigation’s independence drew accusations Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to evade personal responsibility in the worst attack in Israel’s history.

Israel has traditionally appointed an independent state commission of inquiry, led by a retired judge, following major governmental failures.

Netanyahu has resisted calls for such an investigation into the Oct. 7 failures, saying only that he would answer all questions when the war is over. In Sunday’s decision, he said the ceasefire that went into effect on Oct. 10 allows the government to start the investigation.

His Cabinet approved the formation of a watered-down 'government committee.' Netanyahu will oversee the makeup of the team governing the inquiry, in effect putting him in charge of the probe. More details about the inquiry are to be announced in 45 days."  (our emphasis)

Netanyahu's effort to control the investigation so as not to reflect badly on his leadership has prompted outrage in Israel. 

"Israel’s opposition leader, Yair Lapid, called the decision insulting to the victims of Oct. 7 and to the hundreds of soldiers who have died in the war.

'The government is doing everything it can to run from the truth and evade responsibility,' Lapid said.

'The government is 'establishing a commission that will investigate itself,' noted the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, which is critical of Netanyahu. 'This is not an investigative commission, this is a cover-up commission.'” (our emphasis)

Now that the war in Gaza has paused, Netanyahu faces scrutiny over his failure to protect Israel from the attack that occurred on October 7.  While he used the war as a shield to prevent an inquiry, he's now brazenly acting to manage the investigation, which will doubtlessly exonerate him.

(photo: The guilty will lead the investigation. Abir Sultan/AFP/POOL/Getty Images)