Criminal Probe into Meron Disaster Reopened After 5 Years
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Israeli police are reopening a criminal investigation into the 2021 Meron disaster that killed 45 people. Several non-political figures involved are expected to be questioned under caution. The probe was renewed following a state commission's recommendations and legal petitions, after being frozen for five years. The investigation aims to examine criminal responsibility of officials, including engineers and security managers.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli police have reopened a criminal investigation into the 2021 Meron disaster that killed 45 people.
- Several non-political figures involved in the disaster are expected to be summoned for questioning under caution.
- The investigation was renewed after being frozen for five years, following a state commission's recommendations.
- Legal petitions from victims' families and organizations also pushed for the probe's resumption.
- Officials like site engineer Amer Khalilia and licensing officer Shmuel Piamenta are among those whose responsibility may be examined.
Five years after the deadly Meron disaster, in which 45 people were killed, Israeli police are reopening a criminal investigation into the circumstances of the event. The police and the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) intend to summon several individuals involved in the disaster, who are not political figures, for questioning under caution. The criminal investigation had been frozen upon the establishment of a state commission of inquiry but has been re-examined in recent months. Discussions involving Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, the State Prosecutor's Office, the police, and Mahash led to the decision to renew the probe, with updates provided to law enforcement officials in late October.
The renewed examination was partly spurred by a legal petition from the "Bihad" organization and Yom Kippur War veterans, along with the Civil Democratic Movement, demanding the investigation's resumption. The findings of the state commission of inquiry, which published its report in March 2024, also played a role. The commission recommended examining the criminal responsibility of officials, including site engineer Amer Khalilia, licensing officer Shmuel Piamenta, and security managers Reuven Ben Gal and Shimon Malka. The commission specifically highlighted Piamenta's case, stating that its findings did not preclude a review of criminal, disciplinary, or public responsibility.
Criticism also emerged from within the commission itself. Former IDF Major General Shlomo Yanai, a commission member, complained to the Ombudsman for the State Attorney's Office, Judge Menachem Finkelstein, about the lack of a decision to renew the investigation. In December 2025, Finkelstein acknowledged the delay, calling it unacceptable and causing undue suffering to the victims' families.
With the investigation now officially renewed, the police and Mahash will examine the criminal suspicions and summon some of the involved parties for questioning. The identities of those to be questioned have not yet been released.
Mentioned
