The Knesset plenum held a special debate today (Tuesday) on the subject of preparations for Lag BaOmer events in Meron. The debate was addressed by MK Azulai of Shas and MK Menachem Eliezer Mozes of United Torah Judaism.
Moses began: "I am proud to be among those who worship at the graves. The general public, not necessarily the ultra-Orthodox public, comes every year on Lag BaOmer and throughout the year to pray at Meron. I have been connected to Meron since childhood, when I celebrated my 'halkah' ceremony there.
""In recent years and this year as well, we have invested a huge amount of capital in the place, tens of millions, to install infrastructure and prepare the area. I hope this will prove itself.".
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""We recently experienced a terrible disaster, when at the funeral of the great Rabbi Wasner, two young men lost their lives when they were pushed through the crowd. We must draw lessons and learn from our mistakes.".
Moses said: "In recent days, I have approached the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Rabbi Ben Dahan, and asked him to work to budget for placing benches on the road leading to the holy site. Adults and children climb the mountain towards the Rashbi's tomb, and along the entire way there is not a single bench or water fountain. Why doesn't the state solve this elementary problem? Why is it left to volunteer organizations?""
Moses told the Knesset members that a few days ago, a petition was submitted to the High Court of Justice to order the implementation of the lessons learned from the police investigation committee. "The High Court's response is amazing: The state must respond within 30 days what it intends to do on Lag BaOmer, which falls tomorrow. Like dismantling a Sukkah within thirty days, or like an Etrog after Sukkot. What is this disrespect? After all, this is about saving lives. Pikuach Nefesh.".
MK David Azoulay said in his remarks: "The time has come for the Israeli government to take this issue into its own hands. The event in Meron is an event like no other in the State of Israel. It is an event that lasts 24 hours, and over half a million people come to this place in extremely difficult conditions.
""The time has come for the State of Israel to take up this issue, appoint a responsible person, a responsible ministry to handle it.".
""It's time for the Israeli government to really consider the question: How is it that such an event does not receive state sponsorship? It is budgeted for, but in very, very small amounts, when something terrible also happens: after this whole event, damage is caused to those authorities that are in the vicinity, and those authorities actually have to absorb the damage and there is no one to bear these expenses.".
""Therefore, in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I hope that the government will also take this issue into its own hands, budget it appropriately. I hope that this year the Israel Police will not use cavalry as they did last year, when they used cavalry against a public that simply came to pray in this place.".
