Thousands in Tel Aviv Demanding State Commission of Inquiry into October 7 Failures

Despite the government’s refusal to establish a state commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre, the “October Council” movement—representing bereaved families, families of abductees and survivors of the Hamas attack—held a mass demonstration Saturday evening at Habima Square in Tel Aviv.
Tens of thousands attended, calling on the government to launch a formal, independent investigation “as prescribed by law.”

Rafi Ben-Shitrit, father of Sergeant Al-Roi Ben-Shitrit who was killed in Nahal Oz, accused the government of evading responsibility:

“On October 7, the state abandoned its citizens. This was not a failure or a mistake—it was an omission. As long as the truth is hidden, the murder continues and the heart bleeds.”

Ben-Shitrit rejected the government’s planned ministerial committee, calling it “ridiculous, illegitimate and without validity.”
He urged the crowd to “demand a state that does not abandon its people” and vowed that “the struggle continues and we will win.”

Opposition Chairman Yair Lapid, along with MKs Benny Gantz, Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Golan and former prime minister Naftali Bennett, joined the families in their call for an official inquiry.

“We Want a State That Learns from Its Mistakes”

Naga and Ya’aleh Bar’am, siblings of Neta Bar’am—an IDF balloon operator killed in Nahal Oz—said the next generation deserves a country that confronts its failures:

“We are the future generation that will receive the state from you. We want a state that has learned and corrected its mistakes. If there is a state commission of inquiry, we can truly fix what went wrong and grow anew.”

They asked how citizens are expected to rebuild their lives “if the government does not take responsibility.”

Former minister and MK Yizhar Shai, who lost his son on October 7, condemned the government’s planned investigative framework:

“Nine ministers were recruited this week for the despicable task of training the creep called the ‘special investigation committee.’ Their mission is to ensure the truth never comes to light.”

Shai called on public servants to refuse to testify before what he termed “the Shame and Cover-Up Committee,” adding:

“We are not seeking revenge but justice—and conclusions that will save future generations.”

The audience responded with chants of “You are not alone.”

Reservists: “The Young Generation Must Rise”

Yonatan Shalev, founder of the reservist group “Shoulder to Shoulder,” told the crowd that Israelis must transform their grief into collective action:

“My generation did not choose to fight, and my brothers did not choose to lose their lives. But we Israelis know how to turn pain into strength. If we all stand up, they will have to listen to us.”

“A Direct Attack on My Father”: Bereaved Daughter Speaks Out

Adi Zakuto, who lost her father Avi Zakuto in the massacre, accused the government of shirking responsibility:

“What burns me today is what my father hated most: escaping responsibility, lying, and cover-ups. The government’s actions are a direct attack on all the parents, children, soldiers and citizens of Israel.”

She rejected what she described as a “political committee created by those who must be investigated.”

Nova Survivor: “We Have Been Prisoners of Lies

Nova festival survivor Tali Biner described living with trauma, fear and mounting anger:

“I am standing here because the reality I never wanted forced me to fight for what remains of the truth. There are no answers. There is no taking of responsibility. There is no end to a war without resurrection and without justice.”

She warned that without a proper inquiry the country risks repeating catastrophic mistakes:

“A moment before disaster destroys the state as we know it, we demand a state commission of inquiry—not as revenge, but as responsibility.”

Eyal Eshel, father of IDF observer Roni Eshel, reiterated the families’ unified position:

“We do not recognize the ministerial committee—those who should be first in line to be investigated. We will not accept the conclusions of a political cover-up committee.”

Eshel said the government’s actions point to “the establishment of a clearly illegal committee designed to avoid accountability.”