There are only two options: an investigation or a disaster
Dr. Michael Milstein argues that even if a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre were established, it would struggle to reveal the truth, because the very concept of truth has ceased to exist in Israel. The leadership under Netanyahu has developed its own narrative, dividing the public into those who are right and those who are wrong, and presenting a leadership immune to mistakes. Instead of a thorough investigation, a flood of selective documents and conspiracy theories, such as the "generals' revolt," is being promoted, undermining the rules of the democratic game.
Dr. Michael Milstein, a senior researcher at the Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University, publishes an opinion piece in ynet in which he argues that even if a state commission of inquiry into the October 7, 2023 failure were established, it would struggle to reveal the truth. The main reason, he says, is that the very concept of "truth" has ceased to exist in Israel. The leadership under Benjamin Netanyahu has developed its own narrative regarding the roots of the failure, sharply dividing the public into those who are right and those who are wrong, and presenting a leadership immune to mistakes that was a "victim of a security system that deliberately misled it." Instead of a thorough investigation, a flood of selective document excerpts, fabrications, and distorted perceptions is being promoted, led by conspiracy theories such as the "generals' revolt" and betrayal, which are already translating into dangerous delegitimization of domestic actors. Milstein warns that a society unable to confront the truth, or to demand it from its leadership, loses its critical sense and reality check – and may repeat the same mistakes. He notes that October 7 is increasingly establishing itself as an orphaned failure, as only a small group of senior security officials have taken responsibility, while the political leadership refuses to advance a state inquiry.