Day 949: October Council Declares Netanyahu's High Court Response Proves 'He Alone Is Responsible for Oct. 7' — Families Condemn Simultaneous Inquiry Bill Whitewash

On May 13, 2026 (Day 949 / Ceasefire Day 216), the October Council — the primary organization of bereaved October 7 families — issued a formal statement via Times of Israel declaring that Prime Minister Netanyahu's detailed response to the High Court of Justice in the ongoing comptroller probe hearings constitutes proof that 'he alone is responsible for the October 7 failures.' The statement directly linked two simultaneous developments: (1) Netanyahu's High Court filing, which they characterized as a detailed reconstruction of his personal decision-making in the years leading up to October 7 that inadvertently documents his choices to dismiss warnings and prioritize political considerations; and (2) the Knesset committee revelation the same day that the coalition's inquiry bill had quietly stripped 'full, thorough, and independent investigation' from its purpose clause. The October Council argued that the combination — a leader acknowledging (via legal filings) that he was the central decision-maker on security policy, while simultaneously backing a bill designed to prevent an independent probe of that very decision-making — was definitive evidence of bad faith. The statement was released approximately 49 days before the Supreme Court's July 1, 2026 deadline for the government to present an investigation framework. The October Council reiterated its demand for a fully independent state commission of inquiry appointed by the Supreme Court president, with full subpoena power over both political and military leadership. The forum stated it would take immediate legal action to block the Kallner inquiry bill if the government attempted to pass it as an alternative to a genuine independent commission. The statement drew broad media coverage and was cited by opposition leaders as they announced a joint Knesset walkout during the bill's first reading.