State commission, "national" or something else: How do the parties want to investigate October 7?

ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth surveyed the positions of parties ahead of the 2026 elections regarding the desired framework for investigating the October 7 massacre. The opposition (Yashar!, Together, The Democrats, Yisrael Beiteinu, Blue and White) commits to establishing a state commission of inquiry immediately upon forming the government. Likud and most coalition parties refused to respond. Religious Zionism supports a "national" commission and opposes a state commission.

ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth approached all parties running in the 2026 elections to ascertain their position on the desired framework for investigating the October 7, 2023 massacre, in which nearly 1,200 Israelis were murdered. The survey reveals a clear polarization: opposition parties (Yashar! led by Gadi Eisenkot, Together led by Naftali Bennett, The Democrats led by Yair Golan, Yisrael Beiteinu led by Avigdor Lieberman, Blue and White led by Benny Gantz, and the Joint List of Yoaz Hendel and Yaron Zelicha) commit to establishing a state commission of inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Law, 5729-1968, on the first day of the next government's term. In contrast, Likud, Otzma Yehudit, Shas, and United Torah Judaism refused to respond at all to the question. Religious Zionism, led by Bezalel Smotrich, is the only coalition party that provided a detailed response: it supports a "national, independent, true, and fair" commission of inquiry and strongly opposes a state commission, which it calls "a whitewashed name for a one-sided and biased commission." Ra'am stated that the issue is not at the center of its agenda but supports a comprehensive investigation. The Joint List supports a state commission and calls for expanding the mandate to examine occupation policy. Amcha Yisrael and Zehut proposed alternative frameworks. The article is the fourth in a series on party positions on burning issues.