Almost two months after the April 30 tragedy on Mount Meron, Israel’s government voted to approve the establishment of a committee to investigate the disaster. The unnecessary and preventable event killed 45 men and boys during a stampede, after severe overcrowding in a staircase during a traditional Lag B’Omer celebration gathering at Rabbi Bar Yochai’s grave. The pilgrimage takes place every year, yet the space is not suitable to hold the growing hundreds of thousands of people who visit during the holiday.
The approval was put into place by the new government, whereas the last government refused. The committee has been given NIS 6 million to investigate, and the taskforce will be responsible to review “the entirety of professional and legal questions regarding safety procedures at religious rites events and the public venues that host them, particularly events that involve mass participation.” Police have already questioned about twenty people involved in organizing the event.
The Forum of Families from the Meron Disaster welcomed the investigative committee, calling it “an important decision that will ensure the prevention of the next disaster,” in their statement. Finally able to fully mourn loved ones, instead of fighting for the need to know what happened. In his statement to the Cabinet, new PM Naftali Bennett said, “Forty-five people lost their lives in the terrible disaster, and we have a responsibility to learn the lessons and prevent the next disaster. The committee will not be able to bring back to life those who are no longer with us, but the government can do everything to prevent unnecessary loss of life in the future.”
