The Israeli government decided during its weekly meeting today, Monday, that it will not form an official commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7, following the political-security cabinet's decision last night to expand the war on Gaza.

This comes despite a letter sent by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to the government, demanding that they "make a decision regarding the investigation into the events of October 7. Refraining from making a decision regarding an official commission of inquiry is damaging and undermines the investigation into the truth."

The government decided to work with the Knesset to formulate a bill to establish a "special" rather than an official commission of inquiry, and to inform the Supreme Court of this within 90 days. The Supreme Court had previously demanded that the government explain its refusal to form an official commission of inquiry following petitions on the matter.

The government stated in its decision that "the (special) investigation committee will represent diverse public opinions and will enjoy the confidence of the majority of the public."

Minister David Amsalem attacked the court, saying, "The Supreme Court is part of the case," and that Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit usurped the position for himself and wants to establish a state commission of inquiry against the government. Minister Amichai Chikli added, "We must investigate backward (before October 7). We have no confidence in the attorney general." Minister Yoav Kisch said, "The attorney general would have stopped the prime minister's trial if it hadn't been politically motivated."

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs read from the transcript of a deliberation, during which the Attorney General was asked about her position on changing the date for the formation of an official commission of inquiry in light of the war. Fuchs responded affirmatively. Fuchs said that "the Attorney General lied to the court" because she supported the petitions demanding the formation of an official commission of inquiry.

The Attorney General explained in her letter to the government that "even if a decision is made to form an official commission of inquiry soon, its work will begin in at least several months. Another issue is that most of the senior security officials who will testify before the official commission of inquiry have left their positions or will soon leave them, and in any case, they are expected to demand participation in the State Comptroller's investigation."

The October Council, which includes the families of more than 1,500 people killed or injured on October 7, stated that "the government is in a state of conflict of interest. We will not allow the formation of a convenient investigative committee. Those being investigated cannot appoint the investigator who will investigate them. The Israeli government now openly admits that it will formulate a bill to establish an alternative, convenient investigative committee. We remind government ministers, following the fact that an official commission of inquiry will be forced to investigate your decisions in the years preceding October 7, that you are in a state of blatant conflict of interest."