Dramatic step: Will the Zion Rashbi complex be closed to worshippers starting this coming Thursday?

December 13, 2021   

'The "Committee of Five," which manages the Rashbi's tomb complex on Mount Meron, announced that it intends to declare the site closed to worshipers starting this coming Thursday. This is because no company has been found that agrees to insure it against damage that may be caused to visitors to the site. In a letter sent to the Minister of Religious Affairs Matan Kahane - and which was revealed this morning (Monday) by Kobi Nachshoni on Ynet, the site's manager Eli Freind claims: "Before the disaster, the Committee of Five was regularly insured throughout the years, without any problems in this regard. "An absurd situation has arisen, in which, because of an event that occurred on the day the State of Israel managed the site - the Committee of Five is paying the price, and today most of its members are exposed to personal injury claims, if, God forbid, someone is harmed at the site." Freind added: "The Committee of Five has made and is making great efforts to find a solution to the problematic situation that has arisen." He noted that despite a meeting held last month with Minister Kahane, in which he instructed the professional bodies to assist with the issue immediately, the issue has not yet been resolved. "In light of the situation," he concluded, "I would like to inform you that if a solution is not found in the form of an indemnity letter and/or an insurance policy for the Committee of Five, the committee will be forced to announce the closure of the Rashbi's grave markings starting on Wednesday, 11 Tevet 5882 (12/15/21) at 24:00." According to the report on Ynet, Minister Matan Kahane recently summoned representatives of the Committee of Five and made it clear to them that "in any constellation, the site must be left open" - and promised that he would work to ensure that they are insured by insurance companies. However, despite the promise, nothing has changed since then, and tens of thousands of visitors to the site are not insured. MK Michael Malchieli of the Shas responded: "Pikuach Nefesh should not be underestimated, and there is no entry to the site without insurance, period. Is the solution to close the Rashbi site to visitors from next Thursday, the second most important site for the Jewish people??? As it appears??? "There is a state for this, and it has an insurance company (Inbal), and safety consultants, closing the Rashbi complex to worshippers is not an option.".