Israeli Lawmaker Abandons Interview Over Fatal Unexploded Ordnance Incident
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Member of Knesset Nissim Vaturi walked out of a Kan News interview after being questioned about his role in overseeing unexploded ordnance clearance following a deadly incident in northern Israel. The blast killed a 14-year-old and injured 24 others, with Vaturi stating state and IDF responsibility. He defended his actions despite his subcommittee meeting only twice, before accusing the interviewer of exploiting the tragedy and ending the interview, stating he had more urgent matters.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Nissim Vaturi ended an interview after being questioned about his responsibility for unexploded ordnance clearance.
- A recent explosion of unexploded ordnance killed a 14-year-old and injured 24 during a student trip in northern Israel.
- Vaturi, the sole member of the Knesset Subcommittee for Mine and Ordnance Clearance, blamed the state and IDF for the incident.
- He accused the interviewer of "dancing on blood" and exploiting the tragedy.
- Vaturi stated he had more urgent matters to attend to before leaving the interview.
Member of Knesset Nissim Vaturi abruptly ended an interview with Kan News after being questioned about his responsibility for overseeing the clearance of unexploded ordnance, following a fatal incident involving a student trip in northern Israel. The interview took place in the wake of a deadly explosion of unexploded ordnance on Monday near Mitzpe Per in the Ramim Ridge, in the Upper Galilee. The blast occurred during a trip for students from the Orot Mevaseret Zion religious high school, killing 14-year-old Elazar Yair Wilensky and injuring 24 others. Authorities suspect the ordnance was remnants from recent fighting in the area.
Vaturi, who chairs the Knesset Subcommittee for Mine and Ordnance Clearance and is its sole member, initially defended his role, stating that responsibility for ordnance clearance lies with the state and the IDF. He claimed that while the Subcommittee's official meetings were infrequent, he engaged in additional discussions and site visits to monitor clearance activities. He differentiated between the Mine Clearance Authority's work and the IDF's responsibility for ordnance in combat zones.
When pressed about the Subcommittee's limited activity, having convened only twice since 2024, Vaturi acknowledged the need for future discussions but asserted he had taken action outside of formal meetings, including site tours and promoting activities with relevant authorities. He argued that the Subcommittee alone could not solve the ordnance problem and that the IDF needed to allocate more resources.
The interview intensified as Vaturi accused the interviewer of "dancing on blood" and exploiting the tragedy for personal attacks. He insisted that responsibility rested with the state, not solely with him. When asked again about the Subcommittee's oversight role concerning the ordnance danger, Vaturi declared he had more urgent matters to attend to and walked away from the interview, with the interviewer concluding that no answers would be forthcoming regarding the oversight and coordination of the incident.
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