Critics argue the fund, created by Economy Minister Nir Barkat to bankroll defamation suits involving the broadcaster, is unrelated to his ministerial duties and could influence his Likud party primary campaign. Barkat is currently involved in a legal battle with Channel 12

The government maintains it has sole authority to establish a probe and is advancing legislation to do so. Victims' families accuse the government of evading responsibility, while the opposition refuses to engage with what they consider a politicized process