Logo

1 of 5
Israelis held a silent protest and vigil in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence following a disastrous stampede on Mount Meron.
Israelis held a silent protest and vigil in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence following a disastrous stampede on Mount Meron. AFP via Getty Images
israel stampede
People light candles during a vigil for victims of a deadly stampede in Mount Meron at Habima Square, Tel Aviv on May 1, 2021. AFP via Getty Images
Advertisement
Israeli security officials carry an injured Ultra-Orthodox Jew after a fatal stampede in Mt. Meron, Israel on April 30, 2021.
Israeli security officials carry an injured Ultra-Orthodox Jew after a fatal stampede in Mt. Meron, Israel, on April 30, 2021. AP
Advertisement

Dozens of angry Israelis held a silent protest and vigil for the victims of the Mount Meron stampede in front of the prime minister’s residence Saturday night.

The 45 deaths and 150 injuries resulting from the crush of pilgrims at the religious festival is “a national tragedy that demands personal reckoning,” protesters said.

“Government corruption is costing human lives,” they said.

An estimated 100,000 were at the festival, and critics said allowing unlimited attendance reflected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bowing to ultra-Orthodox political parties.

Groups called for a national investigation committee to probe the officials running the event, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Multiple reports in the Israeli press said that the government took a hands-off approach to the festival planning, choosing not to impose limits on the crowd. It was the largest event in Israel since the country’s successful vaccination campaign allowed life to return to relative normal.

Netanyahu vowed during a visit to the scene of Israel’s worst-ever peacetime disaster the investigation would be “comprehensive, serious and detailed,” the Times of Israel reported. But the paper said he is expected to oppose a national commission.

1 of 6
Israeli security officials collect the bodies of victims who died during a stampede in Mt. Meron, Israel on April 30, 2021.
Israeli security officials collect the bodies of victims who died during a stampede in Mt. Meron, Israel on April 30, 2021. Behadrei Haredim via AP
Ultra Orthodox Jews look at the scene where a deadly stampede occurred during a religious festival at Mt. Meron, Israel on April 30, 2021.
Ultra Orthodox Jews look at the scene where a deadly stampede occurred during a religious festival at Mt. Meron, Israel, on April 30, 2021. AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner
Advertisement
An estimated 100,000 were at the religious Lag Ba'Omer festival Mount Meron, Israel.
An estimated 100,000 were at the religious Lag Ba’Omer festival Mount Meron, Israel. AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center) visits the scene of the deadly stampede in Mount Meron, Israel on April 30, 2021.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (center) visits the scene of the deadly stampede in Mount Meron, Israel on April 30, 2021. Pool/Getty Images
Advertisement

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy