Mishap Highlights Security Void in Israeli City After Coordinator Resigns
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Ma'alot Tarshiha is without an education security coordinator after the previous one resigned citing disregard for safety procedures. The resignation followed an incident where a student was killed by an unexploded ordnance during a school trip, for which a required site survey was allegedly not performed. The former coordinator had warned of serious security lapses. Investigations are ongoing into the incident and the route taken by the students.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Ma'alot Tarshiha lacks an education security coordinator following the previous official's resignation.
- The former coordinator, Eldad Vaknin, cited the mayor's disregard for security protocols as his reason for leaving.
- A student died from an unexploded ordnance during a school trip where a required site survey was reportedly skipped.
- The incident occurred on Ramim Ridge, an area allegedly prohibited for entry.
- 24 other students and teachers were injured in the explosion.
The city of Ma'alot Tarshiha currently lacks an education security coordinator, a critical role responsible for approving school trips and conducting pre-trip site surveys. The previous coordinator, Eldad Vaknin, resigned earlier this month, alleging that the mayor was disregarding security protocols and allowing unauthorized personnel into student areas. Vaknin stated he refused to "cut corners" and instead faced pressure to silence him.
According to reports, a required pre-trip survey was not conducted for a recent excursion to Ramim Ridge, where a ninth-grade student, Elazar Yair Wilensky, was killed by an unexploded ordnance. Vaknin had previously identified serious deficiencies and the employment of uncertified individuals at the school, asserting that the circumstances of the accident were predictable.
The incident occurred during a school trip for students from the Orot Ma'alot Yeshiva. A student found a Hezbollah cluster munition, carried it for two hours, and it detonated during a prayer break, killing Wilensky and injuring 24 others. Emergency services, including the air force, military engineering, and police, responded to the scene.
An investigation into responsibility for the route is underway. The Ministry of Education stated the approved route did not include the area where the explosion occurred, and that they adhered to restrictions set by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) due to war damage. The JNF, however, claims they were not involved in approving the trip and that the area was prohibited, though only warning signs, not physical barriers, were present. Students reported receiving no warnings about unexploded ordnance.
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