Gantz takes credit for Meron inquiry, promises to keep digging

All the way from Japan, Defense Minister Benny Gantz pats himself on the back for demanding that a state commission of inquiry be set up to probe the Meron disaster, after that panel released initial findings blaming his erstwhile partner Benjamin Netanyahu and others for the deadly crush.

“We are not looking to place blame — we are looking for responsibility and lessons. That’s why I demanded a state committee to investigate the Meron disaster,” he tweets, above a screen capture of a list of apparent demands in coalition talks last year.

The formation of a state commission of inquiry was widely supported by mainstream politicians, though opposed by many lawmakers from the ultra-Orthodox community.

“We will press on and dig through the open wound to ensure the lessons are fully implemented,” Gantz says.

Gantz, one of the few current ministers who was also in government when the disaster occurred, is running for re-election with the National Unity party.