Matan Kahane in Meron: 'A small minority is planning to destroy the joy, committing vandalism''

May 16, 2022   

MK Matan Kahane, who is in charge of the festivities in Meron, held a tour of Mount Meron this morning (Monday). At the beginning of the tour, he gave a speech. Want live training at no cost? This is how you can become a sought-after bridal instructor MK Kahane: "In two days, with God's help, the Meron celebration will take place. This year, we are holding the celebration under the shadow of the severe disaster that struck the country last year, in which 45 people died. In recent months, we have done the best we know how, so that this year all those celebrating will return home safely and everyone who wishes to do so will be able to come and celebrate in a manner that is as close to the customary tradition as possible. The outline of the celebration is based on the principles outlined by the committee of inquiry into the disaster. The outline was designed by the best professionals, in cooperation with all security and rescue agencies, under the approval of a safety engineer and in coordination with all parties who have had many years of Lag BaOmer celebrations in Meron. The State of Israel invested a huge sum to deal with the safety failures that resulted from infrastructure that was neglected for many years and an illegal structure that was here over the years. The best professionals were hired to produce an event that, with God's help, will be successful and joyful. This year's event costs about 60 million NIS - four times what has been accepted so far. The state is investing this amount to allow the general public to come, enjoy - and return home safely. Naturally, this year's celebration will look different. Not everyone will be able to celebrate exactly as they dreamed. The overarching principle of the outline is to disperse the loads from a few peak moments that led to dangerous overcrowding, to the arrival of the crowd in a controlled manner throughout the entire day of the celebration. In all preparations for the celebration, the considerations taken by the supervisor, the security forces, and the organizers were purely professional considerations, intended to serve the goals we defined (safety and enjoyment of the celebrants). The success of the celebration depends primarily on the degree of cooperation of the audience with the instructions of the organizers and the security forces. To my delight, I hear more and more rabbis, rebbes, yeshiva heads and leaders calling on their audience to obey the instructions. It is truly in our imagination. It is very important that people arrive at Meron at the hours designated for them and it is equally important that they leave at the end of the allotted time. Anyone who stays beyond the hours should know that they are harming their brothers who are waiting for their turn to enter. Unfortunately, there is a tiny minority that is doing everything in its power to ruin the joy for the entire Jewish people. This minority has been carrying out acts of vandalism for days to destroy the infrastructure, and is also planning to try and disrupt the celebration. The police are preparing for them. To all of us, I say, let's not let a handful blacken the faces of tens of thousands of wonderful citizens who will come to celebrate at Meron. I would like to thank the person in charge of the celebration who said, "Here I am" - and he accepted my request to come and organize the event, and to thank the rest of those engaged in the work that the time frame is too short to list at this time. Together with the entire Jewish people, I pray that the celebration will pass. "In peace, and the multitudes of Beit Yisrael who will arrive in Meron this week will return home in peace after enjoying their stay in Meron.".