Israel Demands Accountability Three Years After October 7th Attacks

Three years after the deadliest attacks in Israel's history, a persistent demand for accountability echoes through communities like Kfar Aza, where Hamas-led militants killed 64 residents and took 19 hostage on October 7, 2023. As the nation marks the anniversary, many Israelis are questioning who bears responsibility for the security failures, with a particular focus on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I need my country to take responsibility," stated Inbar Goldstein, whose brother, niece, and four other relatives were killed or kidnapped from Kfar Aza. The initial attack saw approximately 1,200 people killed across southern Israel and 251 taken to Gaza. Despite the gravity of the event, no independent state inquiry has been established to investigate how it occurred.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is seeking re-election, has consistently promised to be a strong protector of Israel. However, critics argue that the lack of a thorough investigation into the roots of the attack prevents genuine understanding and future prevention. "Nobody investigated the roots [of the attack]. It didn't start or end on October 7th - it's a long process of abandonment," Goldstein added.

Mounting reports suggest that Netanyahu received warnings about Hamas's intentions in the months leading up to the attacks, including a purported call from the leader of the United Arab Emirates. Netanyahu's office has vehemently denied these claims, calling them "an absolute lie" and threatening legal action against the newspaper that published the report. Allies have defended him, stating it was "preposterous and absurd" to suggest he had prior knowledge.

Netanyahu has instead placed blame on his security chiefs, accusing them of deliberately withholding information on the morning of the attacks to avoid escalating the situation. He has maintained that if he had been alerted, a stronger, pre-emptive response would have prevented the assault. "What would have happened if they had woken me? This would not have happened," he suggested.

However, others, like journalist Yaacov Katz, author of "While Israel Slept," argue that Netanyahu's long-standing policy of containment towards Hamas, which included allowing Qatari aid into Gaza, contributed to the conditions that allowed the attack to occur. Katz contends that Netanyahu's doctrine aimed to weaken Hamas sufficiently to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state, a policy that ultimately failed.

In contrast to military leaders and intelligence chiefs who have resigned or been dismissed following the attacks, Netanyahu has refused to accept personal responsibility. This stance has drawn criticism, with former IDF spokesman Col. Richard Hecht citing the prime minister's refusal to accept accountability as a reason for his own resignation. "It's a disgrace," Hecht stated. "When you look at accountability, within the IDF I don't think there's a problem. And that's the pain. That's one of the main causes of bad blood between the political echelon and the military."

At a memorial ceremony, the father of a 7 October victim confronted Netanyahu, stating, "You didn't protect my son, you didn't protect all those who were murdered." This sentiment reflects a growing public demand for an independent state commission of inquiry, a move supported by opposition politicians and campaigners who have petitioned Israel's highest court.

Netanyahu has opposed a Supreme Court-led inquiry, citing potential bias, and instead proposed a politically appointed commission, but legislative efforts stalled before the recent parliamentary session ended. The demand for accountability has become a significant issue in the upcoming election, with some opposition figures releasing a video game satirizing Netanyahu's alleged avoidance of responsibility. Despite presiding over this security failure, Netanyahu continues to campaign on his record as a strong leader, framing his tenure as having made Israel safer. The legacy of October 7th remains a divisive issue, influencing voter decisions and shaping the political landscape as Israel heads to the polls.