image sourced from original article at Lawmakers in Israel have voted in favor of a preliminary reading of a controversial bill to establish a politically appointed probe into the failures surrounding the events of October 7, 2023. The bill, backed by allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would allow the governing coalition to control the membership of the investigative commission, sparking anger among critics who had called for an independent state inquiry.
In a separate move, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana supported a civil marriage bill, drawing sharp criticism from ultra-Orthodox parties who have traditionally opposed such legislation. Meanwhile, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli became the first member of the prime minister's coalition to publicly support an investigation into the Qatargate affair, marking a significant shift in government rhetoric.
The briefing also highlighted a gathering of the English-speaking Haredi community in Ramat Beit Shemesh, where leading rabbis addressed strategies for avoiding the military draft. For ongoing coverage, readers are encouraged to follow The Times of Israel's liveblog.
