Eisenkot: "There Are More Experienced Candidates for Defense Minister Than Yair Golan"
Yashar! party chairman Gadi Eisenkot presented a framework for a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 events, pledging to bring it to the first cabinet meeting if he forms the next government.
Chairman of the "Yashar!" party, Gadi Eisenkot, presented today, Wednesday, in Kibbutz Nir Oz a framework for establishing a state commission of inquiry to investigate the events of October 7. He pledged that if he forms the next government, the decision to establish the commission will be brought to the very first cabinet meeting. The framework is based on an initiative developed by hostage survivor and Nir Oz kibbutz member Gadi Moses together with former National Security Council legal advisor Gil Avriel.
The event took place in Nir Oz, among the settlements most severely affected by the terror attack. Eisenkot stated: "Almost three years after the failure, there is still no state commission of inquiry. Reaching the truth is our duty so that such an event does not happen in the future." He added that the commission will examine the decision-making process, as well as military, security, and political aspects. It will be established under the Commissions of Inquiry Law, with members appointed by the President of the Supreme Court in consultation with the Deputy President and with as broad a consensus as possible.
Eisenkot added that he will publish the draft framework written by Gadi Moses to the public today, even before its final approval, "to increase public trust and restore it to the state systems."
On War and Security
Regarding the fighting in Gaza, he said: "The goals of the war have not yet been achieved. The rule of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad has not yet collapsed, and only when that happens will we be able to reach prosperity." Alongside this, he emphasized that Israel must stand by the agreements it has signed.
To the question of "Israel Hayom" on how he would deal with international pressures, Eisenkot replied: "The Hamas charter is the destruction of Israel. I have never seen Hamas as a partner, and there is no place for it to rule the Gaza Strip. The goal is to collapse its rule."
Regarding the Iranian threat, he said: "The most dangerous enemy of the State of Israel in the last three decades is Iran." He noted that Iran currently holds about 440 kilograms of enriched uranium and could reach a capacity for more than ten nuclear explosive devices within months. "Israel's eyes must be on the ball to prevent this. One needs to deal with a variety of threats, but Iran is the most fundamental threat to the State of Israel."
Criticism of the Government and Appointments
Eisenkot attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that he repeats three constant messages in every election campaign: "The first is that only Bibi knows how to bring security, but the result is seen here behind us. The second is that the candidate opposite him will establish a Palestinian state, something I do not intend to do. The third is the fear-mongering about the Arab parties, even though he himself held contacts with Mansour Abbas in the past."
Regarding the fact that Yair Golan is aiming for the position of Minister of Defense, Eisenkot said: "All the preoccupation and talk about dividing roles early is unnecessary, and I can think of partners and party leaders more experienced than Yair Golan for the position of Minister of Defense."
Main Points of the Framework
The commission framework proposes an in-depth examination covering a full decade, starting from the end of Operation "Protective Edge," to examine policy and conduct vis-a-vis Hamas. Alongside checking the failures of October 7, the commission will investigate the management of the war in 2024–2025, including decision-making regarding fighting goals and the return of hostages.
For the first time, the Israeli public diplomacy system and its handling of the international struggle will be examined in depth. Furthermore, the commission will examine why recommendations of previous reports, starting from the Agranat Commission, were not implemented. Organizationally, the commission will appoint five members via the President of the Supreme Court, will be able to establish sub-committees, and will operate with a budget of 25 million shekels.
