Israel launches official probe into deadly festival stampede

Israel’s government has approved the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into a deadly disaster at a Jewish holy site in April that left 45 people dead

JERUSALEM -- Israel’s government approved Sunday the establishment of an independent state commission of inquiry into a deadly disaster at a Jewish holy site in April that left 45 people dead. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the commission would investigate major safety shortcomings that led to a deadly stampede at Lag Baomer celebrations on Mount Meron. It will be headed by a current or former senior judge, and its members selected by the country’s chief Supreme Court justice. Some 100,000 people, mostly ultra-Orthodox Jews, gathered for the April 29 holiday festival in northern Israel despite coronavirus restrictions limiting outdoor assemblies to 500 people, and longstanding warnings about the safety of such gatherings. The state comptroller’s office had previously issued a pair of reports in 2008 and 2011 warning that the conditions at Mount Meron were dangerous.