Security Lapses Preceded Fatal Accident in Ma'alot-Tarshiha

The city of Ma'alot-Tarshiha is operating without a security officer for educational institutions, following the resignation of the previous officer earlier this month amid claims of mismanagement concerning school security. This situation raises questions about the required approval processes and safety checks for trips, particularly after the death of Elazar Yair Wilensky, a ninth-grade student at the Ort Ma'alot high school, who was killed by an exploding unexploded ordnance in the Ramim Ridge area. A key duty of the educational institution security officer is to oversee school security, access control, and participate in trip approval procedures, which may include pre-trip site surveys for certain routes, such as those in Judea and Samaria or along conflict lines. Reports suggest that such a survey was not conducted for the ill-fated trip by the high school students to Ramim Ridge, possibly due to the absence of a security officer.

The former security officer for educational institutions in the city, Eldad Waknin, resigned after a short tenure, citing concerns about the municipality's conduct and adherence to security protocols. Waknin alleged that the mayor disregarded security procedures and allowed unauthorized personnel into student areas. He stated that he refused to compromise on protocols and faced pressure to remain silent. Waknin added that while the police are investigating the incident, the disregard for security procedures was evident.

The Ma'alot-Tarshiha municipality responded by stating that it is regrettable that claims are being recycled before facts are established, especially during a time of mourning. They reiterated that previous claims regarding the security officer had been denied and clarified, describing the individual as new to the role and lacking full training. The municipality asserted that the trip was approved according to Ministry of Education guidelines and denied any misrepresentation of the facts, emphasizing the professional conduct of the city's security officer and teams in assisting affected families.

Further investigation revealed that the Ministry of Education's approval for the school trip did not cover the area where the explosion occurred, with instructions based on restrictions set by the Jewish National Fund (JNF) due to infrastructure damage from the war. The JNF, however, stated they were not involved in approving the trip and had prohibited entry to the area, though the warning was limited to signs without physical barriers. Students on the trip reported receiving no specific warnings about the danger of unexploded ordnance in the area.