Projector Miron's safety advisor resigns: 'Infrastructure not prepared''

May 17, 2022   

The safety advisor for the Meron festival administration resigned from his position about three weeks ago, after his warnings that the Rashbi's tomb complex was not prepared for the approved number of participants were not adequately addressed. This was reported this morning (Tuesday) in Haaretz. Can you keep a secret? Solve an issue? We are looking for you for a prestigious position The consultant, Kfir Malka, is considered a veteran safety consultant and has been employed at mass events in the past. A few months ago, the festival administration hired Malka to serve as a safety consultant for the Lag BaOmer celebrations. He advised the event's planner, retired Major General Zviki Tesler. According to police and government sources, as part of his role, Malka warned that the infrastructure on the Mount was dilapidated and that the tomb complex was not prepared to accommodate the number of celebrants who were on the Mount, which was approved - 16,000 people. According to the same sources, Malka also warned that the decision-making regarding the festival was tainted by foreign interests and political considerations. About three weeks ago, after his advice was not accepted, Malka informed Tesler of his decision to resign. The director of the Rashbi's publicity headquarters for the festival, Avi Blumenthal, responded: "Kfir is a personal advisor to the planner and is employed as needed on an hourly basis. Kfir expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the infrastructure on the Mount as it was about two months ago, but since then "Significant infrastructure work has been done. The project manager did not hear any statement from him regarding the number of participants, and in any case, all his comments and recommendations were implemented on the ground." Malka himself refused to comment on the matter. According to the report in Haaretz, senior police officials warned yesterday that despite the limitation on the number of participants, tens or even hundreds of thousands of people could reach the mountain, by entering through side entrances or presenting fake tickets. In addition, participants could remain at the site even after the four hours - the set time. At the same time, the police are concerned about attempts by extremists to sabotage the proper course of the revelry. In recent days, the police have already dealt with cases of vandalism and damage to property in the complex.