Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Shimon Lavi

Shimon Lav, the National Security Ministry coordinator for establishing and arming civilian security squads and a retired deputy police commissioner, speaks at a press conference in the ministry, October 24, 2023. (Courtesy the National Security Ministry)
October 25, 2023, 12:25 am
600 civil security squads established since Oct. 7 to boost ‘sense of security’
Thousands of assault rifles have been distributed to the squads; National Security Ministry coordinator says this could bolster security services in event of a multi-front war
By Jeremy Sharon
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
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
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
Illustrative: 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
Weapons seized by Israeli security forces after an alleged gun-smuggling from Lebanon, on March 23, 2022. (Israel Police)
March 24, 2022, 6:22 pm
Police seize 61 guns in largest-ever capture of weapons smuggled from Lebanon
Three suspects from northern Arab town arrested after chase; half a kilogram of drugs also found; north district chief: ‘We have saved several dozen lives’
By Emanuel Fabian
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (R) inspect illegal firearms seized by police, at a ceremony in Tel Aviv, November 9, 2021. (Haim Zach/GPO)
November 9, 2021, 8:14 pm
PM lauds Israel’s biggest illegal arms bust: ‘We’re not talking, but doing’
Bennett inspects weapons seized in undercover operation to stem tide of crime in Arab communities; says others will be brought to justice after dozens of dealers arrested
By ToI Staff
Some of the illegal weapons sezied in police raids for arms in the Arab community, November 9, 2021. (Israel Police)
November 9, 2021, 12:19 pm
Police net biggest illegal arms haul in country’s history
Dozens of dealers arrested; 40 rifles, 13 pistols and two machine guns seized during year-long undercover operation to stem tide of weapons in Arab communities
By ToI Staff
Israel Police Northern District Chief Shimon Lavi arrives to testify before the Meron disaster commission of inquiry, on August 22, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 17, 2021, 12:30 am
Northern police chief says area is ‘at war’ with ongoing Arab communal violence
Shimon Lavi says Arabs in north responsible for ‘99% of murders’; public security minister blames rising crime on lengthy ‘neglect of Arab communities’
By Emanuel Fabian
Israeli Police Chief Kobi Shabtai on January 8, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 15, 2021, 2:22 pm
Police chief Shabtai said to have opposed crowd curbs at deadly Meron event
Ex-police commander Alkalai launches scathing attack on commissioner at state panel investigating crush that killed 45 people, sparking calls for Shabtai’s resignation
By ToI Staff
Western Wall Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch testifies before the Meron Disaster Inquiry Committee in Jerusalem, on August 23, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 23, 2021, 2:12 pm
Rabbi of holy sites tells Meron probe: I had no authority over Lag B’Omer events
Shmuel Rabinovitch testifies before commission into Israel’s worst peacetime disaster: ‘They didn’t tell us there was an issue with the passageway. Nobody brought it up to us’
By Amy Spiro
Israel Police Northern District Chief Shimon Lavi arrives to testify before the Meron disaster commission of inquiry on August 22, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
August 22, 2021, 1:16 pm
As Meron probe opens hearings, top police officer laments years of ‘neglect’
Northern district chief says failure to impose caps on attendance was itself driven by safety concerns, as barricades could cause ‘bottlenecks and much greater disasters’
By ToI Staff and AP
Public Security Minister Amir Ohana at the lighting of a bonfire during the celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Lag Baomer on Mt. Meron in northern Israel on April 29, 2021. (David Cohen/Flash90)
May 1, 2021, 10:01 pm
Police minister: I’m responsible for Meron, but that ‘doesn’t mean blame’
Amir Ohana says scope of tragedy is ‘far beyond’ the cops; police chief says he ‘will not rest until the circumstances that led to this disaster are made clear’
By ToI Staff
Outgoing Northern District Commander Shimon Lavi (R) and Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai (R) at Mount Meron ahead of the tragedy, April 29, 2021 (Israel Police)
May 1, 2021, 2:59 pm
Police chief backs local commander in charge of Meron site at time of tragedy
Kobi Shabtai says there was ‘full cooperation’ between himself and Northern District chief Shimon Lavi in planning event that ended in deaths of 45 people, including children
By ToI Staff
Hats and broken glasses are seen at the bottom of a stairway leading from a narrow walkway where a fatal crush occurred at the site of the Mt. Meron disaster in northern Israel, Friday, April 30, 2021 (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
May 1, 2021, 5:57 am
After tragedy, reports emerge that politicians pressed not to limit Meron event
Following initial horror over crush that killed 45, blame game begins between various authorities and officials who planned, approved and oversaw mass festivities at holy site
By ToI Staff
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.