“We have launched an audit of the government’s treatment of the hostages and their families”

State Comptroller and Ombudsman Matanyahu Englman was a guest of the Business-Academic Club of the Friends Association at Tel Aviv University (April 27, 2025). In a conversation with journalist Dafna Liel, he outlined his professional position regarding the audit of the core failures of October 7. The discussion took place just hours after the High Court of Justice dismissed petitions against conducting an audit of the IDF and the Shin Bet.
According to the Comptroller: “the citizens of Israel deserved to receive answers regarding the failures much earlier. We are currently in the midst of a thorough audit of all levels — the political, military, and civilian echelons — and we have begun reviewing the core failures following direct access to materials from the army and the Shin Bet.
“Access to these materials will enable us to complete audit reports that are already in advanced stages, such as the audit on the licensing and security of the Re’im party. That report was largely completed months ago, apart from the section relating to the IDF’s involvement.  I hope to complete it soon and publish it for the public.  The audited entities are expected to be open to oversight and to fulfill their duty to correct the deficiencies.”
Regarding the government’s treatment of the hostages and their families, Comptroller Englman stated: “At present, our office is conducting an audit of how the hostages have been treated and the assistance and support provided to their families.”

The Comptroller noted that as part of the audit, the following issues are being examined: the realization of rights (such as stipends, business and housing support); medical and psychological care; the education system’s treatment of children from families of hostages; and the state’s preparedness to provide long-term care for the hostages and their families.
“The State Comptroller Law provides that, based on a report by the State Comptroller, the Knesset’s State Control Committee may also establish a state commission of inquiry. Therefore, the leading political figure who approached me with a request to open an audit was the Chair of the State Control Committee.”
Comptroller Englman added that “the question of the State Comptroller’s authority to audit the failures of October 7 was also reviewed by the High Court of Justice. The justices rejected claims of lack of authority, and the matter is no longer in dispute. I do not accept the notion that any state institution can challenge this mandate.  We are a country governed by the rule of law.  Even in the petition filed against the State Comptroller’s Office, we fully respected the rulings of the High Court, exactly as written.”