Knesset Advances Bill to Set Up October 7 Inquiry

Overview

• The Knesset cleared the bill’s first of three readings with a 59-0 vote after opposition lawmakers boycotted the session.
• The law would create a six-member commission that needs the backing of 80 MKs for appointments and uses a fallback parity rule of three coalition and three opposition appointees if no consensus is reached.
• Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the process a sham and vowed his side would set up a state commission in the first month of a future government if it returns to power.
• The bill lets released hostages and bereaved family members observe hearings and requires most sessions to be public and broadcast, a step the sponsor says will increase trust.
• The measure now goes to the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee for drafting of second and third readings, and analysts warn that if opposition members continue to refuse participation the Knesset speaker could effectively determine appointments.