As ultra-Orthodox political leaders resist an independent investigation of Israel's worst civil disaster, fearing they'll be blamed, anger is rising within the community
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Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene of the fatal crush during Lag B Omer celebrations on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)
Following a heated debate, a key Knesset panel on Monday approved the fast-tracking of an opposition-pushed bill to form an official commission of inquiry into the Meron disaster, in which 45 ultra-Orthodox worshipers were crushed to death during a religious festival last month.
No arrests have been made since the April 30 tragedy during Lag B’Omer celebrations at Mount Meron in northern Israel, the deadliest civilian disaster in the country’s history, though it is being investigated by the Israel Police.
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Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene after a mass fatality scene during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)
Police on Monday detained for questioning two engineers who were involved in approving arrangements at a religious festival last month where 45 people were crushed to death in an overcrowded walkway.
Investigators from the Lahav 433 national crime unit brought in the safety engineer and the safety adviser who signed off on the Lag B’Omer festival at Mount Meron.
It marked the first formal questioning or gathering of testimony by police as they probe the disaster that happened 11 days ago.
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(JTA) â Long before COVID-19 arrived in Israel, devastating Israelâs Hasidic communities, the annual Lag bâOmer gathering at Mount Meron was a moment of release for Israelâs Orthodox Jews, a festive night marking the end of a religious period of mourning.
And this year, when that release was especially needed after a year of loss, it became yet another tragedy.
Thousands of haredi Jews died in the pandemic. And on Thursday night, at least 45 more ultra-Orthodox Jews were killed in a stampede at Mount Meron, with dozens more injured.
âThe joy of our heart has ceased, our dancing has turned into mourning,â read the front page of Yated Neâeman, a haredi newspaper, on Friday morning.
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Northern District Commander Shimon Lavi (R) and Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai (R) at Mount Meron ahead of the tragedy, April 29, 2021 (Israel Police)
Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai has asked Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit for either a state commission of inquiry into the Mount Meron disaster or some other form of official investigation of the incident last week, during which dozens of people were crushed to death, the Kan public broadcaster reported Wednesday.
There have been increasing demands for a state investigation of the tragedy during Lag B’Omer celebrations last week, in which 45 people including numerous children and teenagers were killed and over 150 were injured.