AG: Transitional government can form state inquiry into Meron disaster

Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit says there is no legal obstacle preventing the transitional government from forming a state commission of inquiry into the Meron disaster.

His opinion comes amid growing calls for an independent probe into the fatal crush of 45 people, including over a dozen children and teenagers, during the Lag B’Omer festival. The Israel Police, fire department, Justice Ministry’s Police Internal Investigations Department, and state comptroller have opened their own probes into Israel’s deadliest civilian disaster.

Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is among those backing a state probe, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Israeli television reports, fears the political repercussions of such an inquiry.