Liberman Pledges State Inquiry Into October 7 Failures on Resignation Anniversary

Former defense minister Avigdor Liberman pledged on Saturday, November 14, to establish a state commission of inquiry into the failures and decisions that led to the October 7 massacre. His statement marked eight years since his resignation as defense minister and also addressed his forthcoming parliamentary role. “Soon we will establish a state commission of inquiry,” Liberman said. He said the commission would investigate those failures and decisions in depth and ensure that those responsible were held accountable. Recalling his departure from the Defense Ministry, Liberman said he had resigned over Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to allow suitcases of dollars to reach Hamas in an effort to buy quiet. He described that policy as surrender and said he had refused to participate, even at the cost of giving up one of the country’s most important offices. He linked the policy to the consequences Israel suffered in the October 7 massacre. Liberman said he would formally take over as chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday. He said he would follow the principles that had guided his resignation, putting Israel’s security and the interests of the state ahead of any other consideration.