Why were the potential dangers of the passageway where 45 people were crushed to death on April 30 not recognized in advance, where were the police, and why were they so slow to respond? These are some of the lingering questions following the worst civilian disaster in Israeli history
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May. 10, 2021
The police on Monday arrested the safety engineer who gave the green light for the traditional Lag Ba’omer celebration at Mount Meron that ended in 45 people being fatally suffocated and 150 people injured. His assistant, a retired police superintendent, was also arrested.
Investigators are also saying that the police Northern District commander and other officers should be questioned as suspects for their alleged involvement in causing the casualties.
From the investigation to date, it appears that the main reason for the crowding and pressure at the Toldot Aharon bonfire compound, outside which the disaster occurred, was that police gave the Hasidic court permission to hold its bonfire at a different time than the other bonfires at the compound. This meant that the crowd was not dispersed among several bonfires, as usually happens, but that additional thousands crowded in to see the Toldot Aharon blaze. Moreover, no policemen were stationed at the compoun
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.