Mount Meron
A Haredi man was indicted for damaging security infrastructure on Israel’s Mount Meron ahead of the Lag B’Omer festivities.
Alternative festivities to be held at ancient Shiloh in Samaria, site of the biblical Tabernacle.
A winery was set on fire and heavily damaged by a direct hit, though no injuries were reported.
Police have been asked to stop the arrival of pilgrims to the site due to the risk posed by Hezbollah rocket attacks.
Criticism came from within and without the ruling party over its response to the Meron commission’s findings.
The commission also found Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally responsible for the tragedy, but made no specific recommendations regarding him.
Hezbollah’s Jan. 6 Kornet missile strike on the Meron air control base showcased the terror group’s precision-strike capabilities.
“We will not be silent about this horrific incident,” Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu said.
Still, two years after a deadly stampede at the pilgrimage site, ushers allowed early arrivals entry without checking for tickets.
A state committee of inquiry added that Amir Ohana, public security minister at the time, did not do what was expected when he gave the go-ahead for the celebrations.
A year after 45 men and boys died in a stampede, police cap 16,000 worshippers on the mountain at a time.
A heavy presence by police and first responders was reported, with a memorial ceremony honoring the 45 victims of last year’s tragedy.
