Daily Briefing May 18: Tense preparations at Mt. Meron; WZO says sorry

Religion reporter Judah Ari Gross reviews plans for Lag B’Omer event and an apology to Women of the Wall, as political writer Tal Schneider discusses a Knesset scholarship bill

Welcome to The Times of Israel’s Daily Briefing, your 15-minute audio update on what’s happening in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, from Sunday through Thursday.

Political writer Tal Schneider and religion and Diaspora affairs reporter Judah Ari Gross join host Jessica Steinberg for today’s podcast.

Gross talks about the start of Lag B’Omer festival in Israel, one year after the Mount Meron tragedy, and steps the government has taken this year to streamline the annual Mount Meron event and make it safer.

Schneider discusses a Knesset bill regarding army education scholarships and how it may become another test for the shaky coalition.

Gross also looks at the official apology from the World Zionist Organization following its involvement in protests against Women of the Wall at prayer services earlier this month.

Discussed articles include:

Entry limits, structural fixes as Israel aims to avoid repeat of 2021 Meron disaster

Police arrest group suspected of planning to sabotage Lag B’Omer events at Mt. Meron

Scalpers offer fake Meron festival tickets, subverting new safety measures – report

WZO says cooperation with group that violently protested Women of the Wall was error

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