מצפן אזרחי

1.12 Draft August 6, 2026

Bill to Amend the Commissions of Inquiry Law, 5729–1969

Reasoning: The executive branch (government) should not determine by itself the manner of investigating events in which its own actions or omissions are also being examined.

✍️ Submitted by: igal gutnik

🤝 4 supporters

📖 Background

Current situation: Today, the Commissions of Inquiry Law, 5729–1969, allows for the establishment of two types of commissions: a state commission of inquiry and a governmental commission of inquiry. Main differences State Commission of Inquiry 1. The chairperson and members of the commission are appointed by the President of the Supreme Court 2. An autonomous and independent body 3. Authorized to compel witnesses to appear 4. Authorized to request documents and materials 5. Enjoys powers similar to those of a court in taking evidence Governmental Commission of Inquiry 1. The members of the commission are appointed by the government 2. Established by the government 3. Its powers are limited

📝 Proposal text

Proposed to add to the law the following instruction: Any event that caused a large loss of human life, significant damage to national security, a systemic failure of government authorities, a widespread natural disaster or a technological disaster, or a crisis of national importance, will be investigated only by a national inquiry committee. The establishment of a government investigative committee instead of a national inquiry committee in such cases will not be allowed. Budgetary implications: Acceptance of this amendment does not require an additional expenditure from the state budget.

✅ For (5)

+ Strengthening public trust.
+ Guarantees an independent and unbiased investigation.
+ Conflicts of interest.
+ Helps to unite the public around the conclusions of the investigation.
+ Guarantees full access to evidence and witnesses.

⚠️ Against (1)

− Limiting the government's discretion in choosing the investigative mechanism.

📰 Updates

Examples of national investigation committees Commission of Inquiry into the 1973 Yom Kippur War Failures and Conduct (1973–1974) – Investigation of the failures and conduct in the Yom Kippur War. Commission of Inquiry into the Sabra and Shatila Massacres (1982–1983) – Investigation of the events of Sabra and Shatila. Commission of Inquiry into the Assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (1995–1996) – Investigation of the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Commission of Inquiry into the October 2000 Events (2000–2003) – Investigation of the events of October 2000. Commission of Inquiry into the Collapse of the Versailles Hall (2001–2002) – Investigation of the circumstances of the collapse of the building. Commission of Inquiry into the Mount Meron Disaster (2021–2024) – Investigation of the circumstances of the disaster in which 45 people were killed. Example of a government investigation committee The Winograd Commission (2006–2008) – Investigation of the conduct of the government and military leadership in the Second Lebanon War. The decision to establish a government investigation committee instead of a national investigation committee sparked widespread public criticism. The main criticism was that the government appointed a committee that investigated the actions of the government itself, raising doubts about its independence.

✍️ igal gutnik 🗓 August 6, 2026