Mount Meron tragedy

Five years after Meron: Dubi Weissenstern on memory, mourning, and meaning

The head of ZAKA reflects on the lessons of the Lag Ba’omer tragedy – and what they reveal about resilience, responsibility, and the challenges facing Israel today

Dubi Weissenstern, CEO of ZAKA, ref!ects on the Meron tragedy.
View of the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on Mount Meron, northern Israel, May 1, 2024.

A responsible choice: Why canceling Lag Ba’omer at Mount Meron was the right call - editorial

 Compound 89 in Meron is seen ahead of next week’s Lag BaOmer celebrations, as police conduct an inspection tour around the tomb complex, April 26, 2026

Five years after disaster, Israel limits Lag Ba'omer celebrations on Meron amid security fears

 The real festivities begin when a huge bonfire is lit at midnight on Lag Ba'omer.

Celebrating Lag Ba’omer, a heroic chapter in Jewish history - opinion


Grapevine January 21, 2022: Herzog weighs in on Meron tragedy

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

 TEDDY KOLLEK in 1955.

Families of Meron victims to receive NIS 500,000 in compensation

The compensation will be offset by any payment the families will receive from legal proceedings.

RESCUE TEAMS begin work at the scene of the Lag Ba’omer mass fatality on Mount Meron on April 30.

Police chief brushed off fears of Mount Meron capacity limit - ops head

Senior officer testifies he failed to convince Shabtai to limit the number of participants

The bodies of the victims of the tragedy at Mount Meron on Lag Ba'omer.

Meron probe paused after COVID-19 exposure, inquiry chair quarantined

The state inquiry proceedings have paused pending inquiry chairwoman Miriam Naor's PCR test results.

 Members of the Meron disaster commission (L-R) former Bnei Brak mayor Rabbi Mordechai Karelitz, Commission chair and former chief justice Miriam Naor and former IDF planning chief Maj. Gen. (res.) Shlomo Yanai seen during the Meron Disaster Inquiry Committee, in Jerusalem, on August 22, 2021.

Israel and the world’s best photojournalism on display

“The photographers work with respect for their subjects, and the subject matter,” said curator Galia Gur Zeev. “They reflect the events that are taking place."

 PHOTO OF The Year was awarded to Natan Dvir’s compelling chromatic shot of octogenarian residents of Ashkelon whose home took a direct hit from a Hamas rocket during Operation Guardian of the Walls.

Mount Meron to close if insurance policy not renewed - report

This follows the disastrous crush incident in April, which saw 45 people killed on the Lag Ba'omer holiday.

Jewish worshippers sing and dance as they stand on tribunes at the Lag B'Omer event in Mount Meron on April 29, 2021

Haredi women sprayed out of venue with water hose at Hanukkah event

Despite the shocking footage, the Elad Municipality explained that the venue became overcrowded to a dangerous extent and drastic measures had to be taken to save lives.

 View of a street in the central Israeli city of Elad, April 5, 2020.

Crowd limits, staggered visitation recommended for celebrations at Meron

State Commission of Inquiry into Meron disaster recommends staggering the arrival of pilgrims to the holy site for the coming Lag Ba’omer celebation, limiting maximum number allowed on site.

Jewish worshippers sing and dance as they stand on tribunes at the Lag Ba’omer event on Mount Meron on April 29.

Justice minister to green light Case 3000 state inquiry

Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar has announced that the would approve a state inquiry into the "Submarine Affair."

WILL THE Submarine Affair eventually sink Netanyahu?

Do Israel's state inquiries solve the problems they investigate?

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: At the very least, they are likely to remind the public and the government of what needs to be done if the country wants to make a better future.

 MERON Commission chairwoman and former chief justice Miriam Naor and her team are seen in August accepting testimony in Jerusalem.