Ex-PM Bennett Urges October 7 Inquiry in Heartfelt Message

Marking the one-year anniversary of the Hamas Simchat Torah massacre, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to call for the creation of a state commission of inquiry into the tragic events of October 7. In an emotional post, Bennett stressed the importance of investigating Israel’s leadership failures to prevent future tragedies.

"We must examine ourselves with absolute honesty to ensure such a terrible failure never occurs again. On that day, we saw we are a nation of lions, but we also witnessed the failings of our leadership," Bennett wrote, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and transparency.

Bennett revealed that in the early hours of October 7, he had urged senior officials and commanders to send reinforcements to the Gaza border. However, he received no response, a fact that left him in disbelief as the horrific situation unfolded.

"I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Every few seconds, residents reported: 'Terrorists are entering my home. What should I do?' or 'Where are the soldiers?' or 'I hear noises outside. How do I know if it’s soldiers or terrorists?'" Bennett recounted, describing the desperate pleas of civilians under attack.

Reflecting on his personal experience that day, Bennett shared that he and his family were awakened by sirens at around 6:30 a.m. in Ra’anana. Shortly after, he began receiving alarming messages from residents of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, who were facing Hamas terrorists with no military presence in sight.

Like many other Israelis, Bennett took immediate action. "I personally went to my reserve unit’s base to assist, and others, both reservists and civilians, rose to the occasion." Bennett praised the bravery of those who rushed to the front lines without waiting for orders, including civilians who ventured into the conflict zones to save others.

"But we are blessed with a nation of lions," he added, honoring the brave individuals and units who risked and, in some cases, gave their lives. Bennett highlighted the sacrifices of people like the Kalmanzon squad, Rami Davidian, and the Slutsky brothers, as well as IDF units who fought heroically during the initial hours of the attack.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Bennett admitted that he continues to wonder if there was more he could have done to help that day. He emphasized the urgent need for action, saying, "We must bring our 101 hostages home and return evacuees from the north and south safely to their homes. Only then can we begin to heal as a country."

Bennett's call for a state inquiry has resonated with many Israelis, reflecting a shared desire to learn from the past and ensure that the country is better prepared for future challenges.

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