Former Supreme Court President Grunis Resigns from Submarine Probe

The state commission investigating the multi-billion-dollar submarine and naval vessel procurement affair, widely known as Case 3000, has undergone a major leadership change. Asher Grunis, a former president of the Supreme Court who led the inquiry, formally notified current Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit of his immediate resignation. According to the official statement, Grunis explained that ongoing medical circumstances would prevent him from participating in the commission's upcoming hearings. Because postponing these critical sessions would severely disrupt the inquiry's schedule and mandate, Grunis chose to step down to ensure the investigation could proceed without administrative delays.

In response to the vacancy, Justice Amit acted swiftly to maintain the panel's momentum. Retired Supreme Court Justice Zvi Zilbertal, who was already serving as a member of the commission, was appointed to take over the role of chairman. Additionally, retired Judge Ruth Lorch, formerly the president of the Central-Lod District Court, was appointed as a new member of the panel. The remaining members—including former Bank of Israel Governor Karnit Flug, Gideon Frank, and Brig. Gen. Prof. Yaakov Bortman—will continue their service unchanged, ensuring institutional continuity during this transitional phase.

Established in January 2022 under the Bennett-Lapid government, the inquiry panel holds a broad mandate to examine the systemic decision-making processes within both the political and professional echelons regarding Israel's acquisition of German naval vessels between 2009 and 2016. Unlike parallel criminal proceedings, which focus on corruption allegations and individual criminal liability, this state commission concentrates on systemic governance, protocol adherence, and institutional oversight. Over the course of its intensive operations, the commission has reviewed tens of thousands of sensitive documents, interviewed dozens of witnesses, and gathered extensive testimony from key defense and political figures.

The resignation comes at a particularly sensitive juncture for the inquiry. The panel is scheduled to begin its next crucial phase of live witness testimonies in early November, making uninterrupted leadership essential. Previous milestones of the commission include the issuance of warning letters in mid-2024 to five high-ranking officials—including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, and former National Security Council head Yossi Cohen—citing severe irregularities in decision-making that allegedly compromised state security. Furthermore, an interim report published in early 2026 highlighted systemic failures within defense procurement frameworks and the National Security Council. As the inquiry moves forward under Justice Zilbertal's leadership, public and political attention remains intensely focused on the unfolding testimonies.