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Mount Meron disaster

Victims of the April 30, 2021, Mount Meron disaster: Top row (L-R): Chen Doron, Haim Rock, Ariel Tzadik, Yossi Kohn, Yisrael Anakvah, Yishai Mualem, Yosef Mastorov, Elkana Shiloh and Moshe Levy; 2nd row (L-R): Shlomo Zalman Leibowitz, Shmuel Zvi Klagsbald, Mordechai Fakata, Dubi Steinmetz, Abraham Daniel Ambon, Eliezer Gafner, Yosef Greenbaum, Yehuda Leib Rubin and Yaakov Elchanan Starkovsky; 3rd row (L-R): Haim Seler, Yehoshua Englard, Moshe Natan Neta Englard, Yedidia Hayut, Moshe Ben Shalom, David Krauss, Eliezer Tzvi Joseph, Yosef Yehuda Levy and Yosef Amram Tauber; 4th row (L-R): Menachem Knoblowitz, Elazar Yitzchok Koltai, Yosef David Elhadad, Shraga Gestetner, Yonatan Hebroni, Shimon Matalon, Elazar Mordechai Goldberg, Moshe Bergman and Daniel Morris; 5th row (L-R): Ariel Achdut, Moshe Mordechai Elhadad, Hanoch Slod, Yedidya Fogel, Menahem Zakbah, Simcha Diskind, Moshe Tzarfati, Nahman Kirshbaum and Eliyahu Cohen.
August 30, 2022, 9:40 pm
Families say Meron probe findings send ‘clear message’ but don’t address their needs
Attorney representing some of the victims’ relatives the ‘writing was on the wall,’ after probe finds senior officials, including Netanyahu, likely responsible for disaster
By TOI staff
Then prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the scene of the disaster on Mount Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)
August 30, 2022, 6:16 pm
Meron inquest finds Netanyahu, top cop Shabtai likely responsible for disaster
Warnings also sent to other top officials, including ex-minister Ohana and former northern police commander Lavi, as panel prepares to release findings on crush that killed 45
By Ash Obel
Then prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the scene of the disaster on Mount Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)
July 22, 2022, 11:35 pm
Public records, testimony appear to undercut Netanyahu claim of Meron ignorance
Minister earlier indicated that crowding was discussed with PM, along with epidemiological issues in lead up to disastrous pilgrimage; watchdog and others rang alarms for years
By TOI staff
Opposition leader and former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to testify before the Meron Disaster Inquiry Committee, in Jerusalem, on July 21, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 21, 2022, 8:12 pm
Bereaved families, rivals tear into Netanyahu for ducking blame over Meron disaster
Lawmakers express disgust after ex-PM says he wasn’t aware of safety concerns at annual Lag B’Omer event before 2021 deadly crush and can’t be responsible for what he doesn’t know
By TOI staff
Opposition leader former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to testify before the Meron Disaster Inquiry Committee, in Jerusalem, on July 21, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 21, 2022, 12:30 pm
Testifying at Meron probe, Netanyahu denies responsibility for deadly disaster
Opposition leader, who was PM during 2021 catastrophe that killed 45, tells commision of inquiry he was not involved in planning event beyond concerns due to COVID-19 pandemic
By TOI staff
Police chief Kobi Shabtai ahead of his testimony before the Meron disaster commission, in Jerusalem, on April 11, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
July 20, 2022, 8:50 am
Commission set to tell police brass they will be held responsible for Meron disaster
Report says police chief Shabtai and other senior officers will receive warning letters pointing to aspects of their conduct; Shabtai has no intention of resigning
By TOI staff
Northern District police chief Shimon Lavi seen at the Lag Baomer celebrations, at Mount Meron, May 19, 2022. (David Cohen/Flash90)
July 18, 2022, 10:15 pm
Northern police chief resigns, taking responsibility for deadly Mt. Meron crush
Year after Israel’s worst civilian disaster killed 45, Shimon Lavi says he waited to quit only to handle urgent challenges; victim’s relative urges commissioner to also ‘go home’
By Michael Horovitz
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Internal Security Minister Amir Ohana (R) visit the site of an overnight fatal crush during a religious gathering at Mt. Meron in northern Israel, on April 30, 2021. (Ronen ZVULUN / POOL / AFP)
June 26, 2022, 4:21 pm
Netanyahu summoned to testify before panel probing deadly Meron crush
Opposition head to be commission’s final witness; if found to bear any responsibility for crush that killed 45, he may get warning letter during upcoming expected election season
By TOI staff
Israeli rescue forces and police at the scene of the fatal crush during Lag B'Omer celebrations on Mount Meron, in northern Israel, on April 30, 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)
June 16, 2022, 4:56 pm
A week before deadly Meron crush, officials expressed grave concerns over safety
In new recording, police and rescue officials heard griping over number of attendees, fearing ‘mass casualty event,’ while then-minister Ohana asks them to accommodate more groups
By TOI staff
An Israel Dog Unit volunteer searching Mount Meron for missing persons. (Courtesy IDU)
May 19, 2022, 10:52 pm
Thousands go to Meron to find themselves spiritually. Three have never come back
The cradle of Jewish mysticism is also where Moishy Klinerman, Moshe Ilowitz and Haviv Ben-Abu were last seen. As Lag B’Omer’s throngs leave, searchers remain to scour the mountain
By Marissa Newman
Ultra-Orthodox Jews scuffle with the police as they try to enter the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai at Mount Meron, during the Lag B'Omer holiday that commemorates the 2nd-century Jewish scholar's death, May 19, 2022. (Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
May 19, 2022, 4:48 pm
‘Extremists’ tear down barriers, clash with cops as Meron pilgrimage ends in chaos
Families arriving for memorial attacked, spit on; violence followed relatively peaceful start to Lag B’Omer event, heavily secured after 45 died in crush last year
By TOI staff and Judah Ari Gross
The head of the Boyan Hasidic sect lights a bonfire during Lag B'Omer celebrations on Mount Meron in northern Israel on May 18, 2022. (David Cohen/Flash90)
May 19, 2022, 12:21 pm
Mount Meron festivities pass peacefully, but pilgrims gripe at new safety measures
Police, organizers imposed strict limits on numbers of visitors to the Bar Yochai tomb complex for Lag B’Omer holiday after 45 people were trampled to death at last year’s event
By Judah Ari Gross
Ultra-Orthodox Jews attend Lag B'Omer celebrations in Meron on May 18, 2022. (Judah Ari Gross/Times of Israel)
May 18, 2022, 9:24 pm
Pilgrims return to Meron for downsized event, a year after crush that killed 45
Worshipers hold memorial service for victims as annual Lag B’Omer events begin, alongside heavy police presence and new rules in place to avoid repeat of 2021 disaster
By Michael Horovitz and Judah Ari Gross
Police evacuate Jewish worshipers ahead of the Lag B'omer festival, at the Tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, in Meron, northern Israel on May 17, 2022 (Courtesy David Cohen/Flash90)
May 18, 2022, 2:16 pm
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
By TOI staff
Tools that police believe suspects intended to use to sabotage the celebrations planned for the Lag B'Omer holiday on Mount Meron in northern Israel, which were seized on May 17, 2022. (Israel Police)
May 17, 2022, 9:46 pm
Police arrest group suspected of planning to sabotage Lag B’Omer events at Mt. Meron
Suspects caught with crowbars, wirecutters allegedly en route to holy site due to apparent opposition to new safety measures following last year’s deadly disaster
By Judah Ari Gross
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