Following a deliberate sabotage of the safety infrastructure in the Rashbi Tomb Zion Complex, which was caused by extremists and inability to continue to comply with the established safety rules, it was decided recently (Thursday) to stop transportation to mark the tomb and end the celebration in its current form. This is with the exception of those staying in the nearby parking lots (Ein Hozim and Elifelet) which will continue to Meron.
The buses in the remote parking lots will not continue to the mountain. Buses that have not yet left in the direction of Meron have not left. The possibility of holding a memorial event for those who perished in the Meron disaster in 2001 will be examined in accordance with the recommendation of the professionals.
The organizers of the event said: “We apologize to the many immigrants for the mental anguish caused by the extremist group that chose to violate public order.”
Deputy Minister Matan Kahana, who is in Meron, commented: “This afternoon, groups of zealous-Sikrik extremists arrived with the aim of destroying and sabotaging the celebration that worked well until those hours. In the face of a life-threatening situation, the Northern District Police Chief has made decisions designed to protect human lives. I was with him at the HFK during those hours and I support his decisions. “
“In light of the fact that the fanatics sabotaged the safety infrastructure of the place, I decided that the revelry could not continue as planned. The police are working at these hours to end the revelry safely. ” Added.
MK Israel Eichler also commented: “It is a terrible decision by the Ministry of Transportation to stop the buses and bring the people home. It should be clear: it is imperative to maintain safety, but they did not. Brought in 8000 people to prevent people from climbing the mountain. It’s an occupation. A woman came here in Meron and cried who had taken her husband and her parting child. The feeling is of a foreign rule that treats us as conquerors to the conquered. There is no longer a public in Israel that can hold people for long hours without water, only the ultra-Orthodox public can be held like crammed sheep on buses. Older people with heart disease, women and children, all stood for long hours in the sun. “
Eichler added: “For fifty years, no policeman has entered the Zion compound. My late father managed the score and made sure that the police were only on the road. True, today there are more people, and could still place ultra-Orthodox ushers who will steer the movement on the mountain. Will not help them. People here make a splash with great joy in spite of everything. We need to start fighting now for next year – to invest at least one hundred million shekels to develop the infrastructure and create wide traffic circles. “
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