Knesset Opens First Reading on Political October 7 Inquiry Bill

The Knesset plenum opened an evening first-reading debate and vote track on the government-backed bill to create a state-national inquiry into the October 7 massacre. The bill, sponsored by Likud MK Ariel Kallner, would let the Knesset try first to approve a six-member panel by 80 MKs; if no agreement is reached, coalition and opposition channels would appoint members, and the panel could operate with as few as three. Advancing it in first reading would preserve continuity for the next Knesset if the current one dissolves before final passage. Israel needs a full, independent and trusted reckoning for October 7 that honors bereaved families, learns operational lessons and keeps accountability above campaign theater.