Following State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman's public announcement on beginning the audit on the failures that preceded the Simchat Torah massacre on October 7th, a few days ago a letter was published announcing the start of work on auditing all levels of leadership – the prime minister, the relevant government ministers, figures relevant to the work of the Security Cabinet and the Socio-Economic Cabinet, and figures in the IDF and the governmental system.
No one will be immune to deep and incisive criticism, in the political leadership, the military leadership and the civilian leadership.
In addition, the comptroller has already made clear that if a commission of inquiry is established, boundaries will be set regarding the issues to be examined. In any case, the audit in no way negates the establishment of a national commission of inquiry. On the contrary: The State Comptroller Law enables the appointment of a commission of inquiry based on the comptroller's reports. It is our moral duty to the murdered, the hostages and all citizens of Israel to conduct an incisive and comprehensive audit of all levels of leadership at this time.
Comptroller Englman went out into the field starting on the first day of the war and expressed sharp criticism of the government, including sending a letter to the prime minister detailing all of the failures and debacles that he saw in the many tours that he held.
As stated, the audit will examine the activity of all levels of leadership – political, military and civilian, including aspects of personal responsibility. The comptroller emphasized that the audit will address all levels of the failures and deficiencies before October 7th, during the day of the massacre, and afterwards. The immediate audit that the Office of the State Comptroller began addresses all of the civilian issues and some of the security issues, such as the emergency squads and more.
As the comptroller has repeatedly made clear, audits of the failures preceding the October 7th massacre and the army's actions that day and afterwards will be carried out in accordance with the development of the war, in order to enable the IDF to focus on the fighting at this time and to operate until victory over the enemy is achieved. Any other statement is baseless. It is unfortunate that parties with vested interests seek to undermine the standing and authority of the state audit, but the Office of the Comptroller will not be deterred and will conduct a deep and incisive audit that no one will be immune to."