AG says police, internal affairs to probe Meron disaster jointly
Avichai Mandelblit apparently makes the announcement after being convinced the government will not form commission of inquiry; adds Deputy State Prosecutor Shlomo Lemberger will assist the investigative team
Tova Tzimuki, Eli Senyor |
Published: 05.06.21 , 20:24
Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced Thursday that a joint team from the police and the Justice Ministry’s Police Internal Investigations Department will investigate last week s deadly stampede on Mount Meron.
The stampede that broke out at the Lag BaOmer festivities on the mountain last Friday claimed the lives of 45 worshippers, including 10 children, in what is now Israel s biggest civilian disaster.
BICOM
30th April 2021
There are conflicting reports into the exact number of deaths, withÂ
Kan Radio News saying least 44 people were killed and 150 people, including children, were injured, of which six are in critical condition, 18 are in serious condition, eight are in moderate condition and the rest are in light condition
The Magen David Adom (MDA) rescue service said 38 people had been killed at the scene. It said its paramedics treated dozens of people, including 18 in a serious condition, 2 who were moderately hurt, and 80 lightly injured. Many others are suffering from shock.
Early reports suggested a structure at the site collapsed, but MDA officials later said the deaths were caused by a stampede. Witnesses said that celebrants had tripped on stairs that causing a crushing domino effect. Others said the police did not block the passage to the compound, allowing people to stream inside and in the panic, many were crushed.
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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.
Raoul Wootliff is the The Times of Israel s political correspondent.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews gather at the grave site of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai at Mount Meron in northern Israel on April 29, 2021, as they celebrate the Jewish holiday of Lag B Omer (JALAA MAREY / AFP)
The state comptroller announced Monday that he would be opening a special investigation into the disaster at the Mount Meron compound where 45 people were crushed to death last week, saying that the tragedy was “preventable.”
“I intend to launch a special investigation into the circumstances that led to this disaster, the preparation of the various bodies, both this year and during the years that have elapsed since the State Comptroller’s report from 2011,” said Matanyahu Englman at a Jerusalem press conference.
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Israeli flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Mount Meron crush victims, at the Knesset in Jerusalem, May 2, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Amid growing questions over the lack of state oversight at the Mount Meron compound where 45 people were crushed to death late last week, Defense Minister Benny Gantz appealed to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit on Sunday to give his legal opinion on the feasibility of forming a state commission of inquiry under the transitional government.
“There is an urgency in forming a committee quickly so that it can carry out a preliminary probe while information is readily available,” Gantz wrote in a letter to Mandelblit.