The Knesset’s State Control Committee convened to discuss the State Comptroller’s report on mental health services following October 7. At the opening of the session, State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman also addressed the matter of auditing the core failures at the political and military levels
State Comptroller and Ombudsman Matanyahu Englman participated (March 3, 2025) in a session of the State Control Committee concerning the first “Swords of Iron” report, which he published about three weeks earlier, focusing on the response to mental health needs after October 7. At the start of the discussion, the Comptroller addressed the issue of auditing the core failures of October 7 at both the political and military levels, in addition to the civil reports already being published.
“Already on October 10, 2023, I stated that in due course I would launch a thorough audit that would include personal accountability for those responsible for the failures,” Englman said. “I made it clear that the audit would cover all levels — political, military, and civilian — and I also noted that if a state commission of inquiry were to be established, I would coordinate with it on jurisdiction. The legislature has empowered you to establish a state commission of inquiry based on the findings of the State Comptroller’s report.”
“In the past month, we have published five highly significant reports, among many more currently in preparation. These are important, but the public deserves answers to the difficult questions surrounding the most serious debacle in Israel’s history.”
“Yesterday I was presented for the first time with four internal IDF investigations. Tomorrow I will visit Southern Command, and next week I will be presented with Shin Bet investigations. I will not delve into the content of the investigations, but I would note how striking it is that each body conducts its investigation independently, without coordination. The IDF conducts its inquiries separately from the Shin Bet, and vice versa. These investigations do not present a full picture of the October 7 debacle.”
State Comptroller Englman in the Knesset
The State Comptroller emphasized that “this only further reinforces the obligation to conduct an audit of the core failure. The State Comptroller’s Office is the only body capable of coordinating an audit across all levels — from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense to the Chief of Staff, the head of the Shin Bet, the head of the Mossad, the Israel Police, local authorities, and other agencies. I have allocated approximately 200 staff members for the purpose of conducting war-related audits, and they are working diligently on these reports.”
“We entered the political echelon months ago; the same goes for the Mossad. What remains now is to commence the audit of the IDF and the Shin Bet, ensure the necessary coordination, and carry out an audit of all failures. I expect the Chief of Staff, the head of the Shin Bet, and the Attorney General to uphold the Basic Law: State Comptroller and cooperate with the audit process.”
