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Mount Meron disaster

Haredi Jews celebrate Lag B'Omer at Mount Meron on May 8, 2023. (David Cohen/Flash90)
May 8, 2023, 10:48 pm
At Meron pilgrimage, joy and grief mix as Haredi traditions and secular Israel clash
At renewed annual Lag B’Omer event, worshipers mourn the 45 attendees killed in deadly 2021 crush, while chafing at regulations meant to head off another disaster
By Canaan Lidor
Haredi Jews attend Lag B'Omer celebrations in Mount Meron on May 8, 2023. (David Cohen/Flash90)
May 8, 2023, 9:50 pm
At Mount Meron holy site, man allegedly bites brother of victim of deadly 2021 crush
Spokesperson for minister of heritage cut on arm during altercation ahead of annual pilgrimage to shrine; police let off perpetrator with a warning to ‘make sure things stay calm’
By Canaan Lidor
View of the illegal Bedouin village Khan al-Ahmar, just off of Road 1 in the West Bank, February 2, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
May 8, 2023, 1:00 pm
Daily Briefing May 8: High Court rules that everyone loses in Bedouin demolition case
Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur explains underlying political resonance of Khan al-Ahmar petitions; religion reporter Canaan Lidor on Lag B’Omer
By ToI Staff
Moshe Mordechai Elhadad, 12 at the time of his death in 2021, is one of the 45 people who perished in the Mount Meron disaster in northern Israel on Lag B'Omer. (Courtesy of Shimon Elhadad)
May 3, 2023, 8:30 pm
On Meron disaster anniversary, relatives of victims connect to the site ‘even more’
Still processing the loss of 45 lives during 2021 pilgrimage, family members of the deceased say the tragedy has only strengthened their devotion to the event
By Canaan Lidor
United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush (left) and Yossi Deitch tour Mount Meron ahead of the Jewish holiday of Lag B'Omer which annually attracts tens of thousands of Jewish worshipers, February 13, 2023. (David Cohen/Flash90)
April 25, 2023, 5:18 pm
No private firm willing to insure Meron pilgrimage, two years after disaster
Treasury to consider partially indemnifying event in response to request from organizer Yossi Deitch, who says he is being treated ‘like a leper’
By Michael Horovitz
United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush (left) and Yossi Deitch tour Mount Meron ahead of the Jewish holiday of Lag B'Omer which annually attracts tens of thousands of Jewish worshipers, February 13, 2023. (David Cohen/Flash90)
March 5, 2023, 2:17 pm
UTJ’s Porush returns as minister of Meron pilgrimage after getting powers he sought
Haredi MK had quit, complaining Center for Holy Sites not relinquishing control of annual event, scene of 2021 deadly crush; PM commends him, tells relevant parties to cooperate
By ToI Staff
Jerusalem and Heritage Minister Meir Porush arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting in the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on January 22, 2023. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
February 28, 2023, 8:33 pm
In latest coalition snag, UTJ’s Porush quits as minister of Meron pilgrimage
Ultra-Orthodox lawmaker tells Netanyahu that the Center for Holy Sites is not relinquishing control of the annual event, leaving him ‘with responsibility but no authority’
By ToI Staff
Rabbi Meir Mazuz speaks at a press conference the Yachad political party in Bnei Brak, March 27, 2019. (Yehuda Haim/Flash90)
January 1, 2023, 4:56 am
Top rabbi calls gay Knesset speaker Ohana ‘infected,’ blames him for Meron disaster
Meir Mazuz, affiliated with several senior members of new government, brands Pride parade-goers ‘animals walking on 2 legs’; has previously blamed LGBTQ marches for COVID, terror
By Michael Bachner and ToI Staff
United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush arrives for coalition talks at Likud headquarters in Tel Aviv on November 10, 2022. (Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90)
December 5, 2022, 11:16 am
In coalition talks, UTJ said to request full authority at Meron, site of disaster
MK Meir Porush wants control over site, including implementation of findings of investigative panel into 2021 tragedy; he opposed the committee’s formation
By ToI Staff
Former police commissioner Roni Alsheich speaking at a conference at Reichman University, Feb. 13, 2022. (Adi Cohen Tzedek)
October 20, 2022, 5:47 pm
Former top cop says he would have resigned if Meron tragedy happened under his watch
Roni Alsheich also says over two years without permanent commissioner, three years without national budget left police weakened, unable to deal with challenges
By Michael Horovitz
Ultra-Orthodox pilgrims face off with police during Lag B'Omer celebrations, in Meron, on May 19, 2022. (David Cohen/Flash90)
October 18, 2022, 8:12 pm
Meron disaster probe committee presents initial findings to prime minister
Taskforce calls for various infrastructure changes to site, expansion of celebration to nearby areas; Lapid appoints team to implement recommendations
By ToI Staff
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
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