May. 3, 2021
The police say the Holy Sites Authority is responsible for safety at the annual Lag Ba’omer festival on Mount Meron, but the Religious Services Ministry says the police have taken over in that regard and make all the decisions.
The clash comes as the state comptroller announced a “special audit” into the stampede at the festival last week where 45 people were crushed to death. Many Israelis are calling for a state commission of inquiry to investigate the matter.
Police officials say the engineer hired by the Religious Services Ministry recently approved the structures on Mount Meron but did not examine the exit from the bleachers where the disaster occurred or the compounds where the traditional bonfires were lit.