State Comptroller’s office: Former IDF Chief Herzi Halevi obstructed October 7 investigation

Vaknin’s statements shed light on the challenges faced by State Comptroller Matan Englman’s team as they sought to uncover the root causes of the intelligence and operational breakdowns that allowed the Hamas attack to devastate Israeli communities.

Vaknin did not mince words, asserting that Halevi, who stepped down earlier this month, actively worked to thwart a thorough probe. “The answer is absolutely yes,” he said when asked if Halevi was an obstacle. “From the start, when the State Comptroller decided to dive into this critique, we approached it with humility, not arrogance. We opted for a gradual method. But there was foot-dragging and a clear desire to keep us from investigating the heart of the failure.” He described how the IDF, under Halevi’s leadership, offered superficial topics “in a casing,” avoiding the core issues.

The dynamic shifted dramatically with Halevi’s departure. Vaknin noted that within the first week of the new Chief of Staff’s tenure, the Deputy Chief of Staff reached out, saying, “Let’s finish it all,” signaling a newfound willingness to cooperate. This change underscores how leadership attitudes can make or break such inquiries.

Vaknin also addressed delays with the National Security Council (NSC), clarifying that his office isn’t against the NSC but seeks to guide it. “We’re in a lengthy process with them because they’re crucial to examining October 7’s failures. But the pace is slowing us down,” he explained, referencing a recent letter urging compliance with legal timelines for sharing materials.

Dismissing suggestions that the Comptroller’s work aims to preempt a government investigative committee, Vaknin emphasized his office’s unique role. “We’re the only body today providing independent, systematic critique. The IDF and ISA’s internal reviews lack an overarching perspective. We’re the only ones showing the full picture,” he said, highlighting the critical need for an objective reckoning of one of Israel’s darkest days.