Supreme Court orders suspension of State Audit Office investigation into IDF and Shin Bet

By Yoni Weiss

The Supreme Court issued an injunction on Sunday ordering State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman to stop his investigation into the Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet in connection with the October 7 attacks. Englman had launched a comprehensive investigation in December examining the events of October 7, the background and the government’s response.

Organisations promoting good governance petitioned the court, arguing that the investigation was outside the jurisdiction of the auditor general and could affect the operational capabilities of the Israeli military. They also expressed concern that the investigation may overlook political responsibility for the invasion and massacres.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi opposed the investigation amid ongoing hostilities against Hamas, a position supported by prosecutors.

Supreme Court Judge Gila Canfy-Steinitz initially decided in May to continue the investigation, but after receiving confidential responses from security authorities, she decided to suspend the investigation pending a Supreme Court hearing in July.

“Given the complex security reality, the planned scope of the investigation, which will address, among other things, the combat support system and key operational issues, and the preparations required at this stage to respond to it (the investigation) … I order the suspension of investigative procedures in everything concerning the IDF and the Shin Bet,” Canfy-Steinitz ruled.