Meron Disaster Investigation Resumes, Officials to Be Questioned
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Police and the Police Internal Investigations Department have reopened the criminal investigation into the 2021 Meron disaster, which killed 45 people. Several non-political figures involved in the event will be summoned for questioning under caution. The renewal follows a state commission's recommendation and a petition from victim advocacy groups. The investigation aims to hold responsible parties accountable after years of delays.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Criminal investigation into the 2021 Meron disaster, which killed 45, has been reopened by police and Mahash.
- Several involved parties, excluding political figures, will be summoned for questioning under caution.
- The state commission of inquiry recommended reopening criminal proceedings against key professional and security personnel.
- The renewal follows a petition from victim advocacy groups and criticism over previous delays.
- The Meron disaster occurred on Lag B'Omer in 2021, leading to a state commission of inquiry.
The police and the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) have renewed the criminal investigation into the deadly 2021 Meron disaster, which was previously frozen when a state commission of inquiry was established. The investigation will involve summoning several involved parties, who are not political figures, for questioning under caution. This development follows a petition by several organizations demanding the reopening of the case and recommendations from the state commission of inquiry itself.
The state commission, in its final report published in March 2024, stated that issuing warning letters does not absolve individuals of responsibility. It recommended examining the opening of criminal investigations against key professional and security figures, including site engineer Amer Khlailia, licensing officer Shmuel Piamenta, and security managers Reuven Ben Gal and Shimon Malka.
The push to resume the investigation intensified after a committee member, retired Major General Shlomo Yanai, contacted the Ombudsman for the State Attorney's Office, Judge Menachem Finkelstein, due to a lack of progress. In December 2025, Finkelstein sharply criticized the delay, calling it unacceptable and causing undue suffering to the victims' families.
The Meron disaster, which occurred on Lag B'Omer in 2021, resulted in the deaths of 45 people. The tragedy led to the establishment of the state commission to examine the circumstances and responsibilities. The renewal of the criminal investigation comes after years of waiting by the victims' families, who have consistently demanded accountability for those responsible.