State Comptroller to Netanyahu, Halevi: 'Cooperate on examination of Oct. 7'

He also added that the citizens of Israel had the right to receive answers regarding the event. 

State Comptroller Matanyahu Englmann attends a press conference to announce the opening of an investigationn into Israel's Mount Meron disaster, at the State Comptroller offices in Jerusalem, May 3, 2021.  (photo credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)
State Comptroller Matanyahu Englmann attends a press conference to announce the opening of an investigationn into Israel's Mount Meron disaster, at the State Comptroller offices in Jerusalem, May 3, 2021.
(photo credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)

State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman sent a letter on Wednesday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, calling on them to cooperate in the probe of the October 7 failures.

"My public and ethical duty as the state comptroller is to carry out a comprehensive examination of the greatest failure in the history of the state, the Simchat Torah massacre on October 7," Englman wrote. 

He also added that the citizens of Israel had the right to receive answers regarding the event. 

Englman noted that his office would begin the probe into the IDF and continue its examination in the political and civilian spheres.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on July 2, 2023 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leads a cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on July 2, 2023 (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

"The Prime Minister and the Chief of Staff must instruct their people to act according to the law and to cooperate with the examination teams in a way that will ensure its execution as required by law," the comptroller concluded.

PMO denies claims 

Later on Wednesday, the Prime Minister's Office denied the claims that it was not cooperating with the comptroller, adding that they were "devoid of any basis."

"The comptroller's letter reached us through the media," the office stated, noting "every request was answered in full, including every question regarding the Prime Minister, despite the Prime Minister's Office teams working around the clock regarding the war." 

The office continued, "The Prime Minister's Office will continue to fully cooperate with the State Comptroller's Office."