Thousands Rally Nationwide Demanding State Inquiry into October 7 Failures

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated across the country Saturday evening, calling for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the failures that led to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The central rally took place at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, organized by the October Council, and was mirrored by solidarity events in Haifa, Be’er Sheva, Rosh Pina, Karmiel, and multiple junctions nationwide.

Speakers at the main rally — including bereaved parents, former senior officials, and freed hostages — accused the government of avoiding accountability and demanded a full, independent investigation into the military and political decisions preceding the attack.

“A Theater of Shame” 

Eyal Eshel, father of IDF observer Roni Eshel, who was killed in the Nahal Oz outpost on October 7, delivered an emotional speech:

“For two years I have been walking in a world where my daughter is gone — but everyone who was responsible for protecting her is still sitting in their chair,” Eshel said. “This failure has eaten the country from within. It should have shaken the leadership, brought resignations. Instead, we got a theater of shame. The State of Israel is being run like a humiliated circus.”

Eshel said the demand for a state commission was “crystal clear,” adding:

“Those who resist it are afraid of the truth — afraid of what will be revealed.”

“We Must Investigate Everyone”

Eli Elbag, father of a survivor of the Nahal Oz attack, joined the call for an investigation that would include the IDF, intelligence services, Shin Bet, and the government itself:

“Do you think we are stupid? Do you want the guilty to appoint the investigators? In Israel, no one is above the law. Prime Minister — don’t tear the people apart.”

When an audience member shouted that he was “playing into Netanyahu’s hands” by not explicitly demanding a state inquiry, Elbag replied:

“I want a stronger, state-level investigation committee — one that cannot be manipulated.”

Alsheich: “A Moral Duty to the Dead and the Living”

Former Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich told the crowd that a state commission of inquiry was a moral obligation:

“It is our duty not only to those who lost their lives in the massacre, but to those who will be harmed in the future if we don’t learn the truth,” he said. “A commission of inquiry is the only way to expose the roots — and to ensure the process is not tainted by those afraid to see their names.”

Alsheich added that even now, the government “treats Hamas as an asset,” saying:

“We have learned nothing from October 7.”

“Not Revenge, But Love of Israel”

Rafi Ben-Shitrit, father of soldier Al-Ruwai Ben-Shitrit, who was killed at Nahal Oz, said the demand for an inquiry is “not vengeance, but love”:

“A state commission of inquiry is an act of deep love for the people of Israel. It’s our promise to the bereaved mothers and the orphans — we will not forget, and we will not let their blood be in vain.”

Parallel Rallies Across Israel

Simultaneous rallies were held nationwide — from Haifa to Be’er Sheva, Zichron Yaakov to Kiryat Bialik — with thousands lighting candles, waving flags, and calling for the return of the hostages.

At Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, families of the remaining captives demanded the return of the bodies of Dror Or, Ran Gueili, and Suthitsak Rintalak, still held by Hamas.

Freed hostage Guy Gilboa Dalal thanked supporters:

“Before I went into the tunnels, I saw pictures from this square. You gave me hope. The work isn’t done until the last abductee returns.”

Survivor Maxim Harkin added:

“If I could hug all eight million Israelis, I would. You are the real heroes — you brought me home.”

At the Sha’ar HaNegev intersection, twin brothers Gali and Ziv Berman, both freed from Hamas captivity, vowed to continue the struggle:

“After returning, we understand our duty — to be the voice of those who have not yet returned,” said Gali.
“Thank you for every day you didn’t give up on us,” added Ziv. “Your voice was our voice when we couldn’t be heard.”

“Violence Has Crossed the Green Line”

In Haifa’s Horev Center, Yuval Ben Ari, who was recently attacked by settlers in the West Bank, condemned the rise in violence:

“The violence has already crossed the Green Line,” he said. “It’s being encouraged by the government — directed against the families of the kidnapped, against Ayman Odeh, against teachers and journalists. This must stop.”

In Karmei Gat, the Nir Oz community held a parallel rally, where Ayala Metzger, daughter-in-law of freed hostage Tami Metzger and of Yoram Metzger, who was murdered in captivity, also spoke.

A Growing Public Demand

From Habima Square to Haifa’s Horev, the message was unified: Israel must face the truth about October 7.

As one sign at the Tel Aviv protest read:

“We don’t want revenge. We want answers.”

The public’s call for a state commission of inquiry — independent of government influence — is now emerging as a central demand in Israeli civil discourse, two years after the darkest day in the nation’s modern history.