Northern District Police Commander Shimon Lavie resigned his commission on Monday, citing responsibility in the Mount Meron disaster.
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Forty-five people were killed and 115 were wounded in the 2021 stampede that took place during the Lag B'Omer festival on the northern site. Lavie was on-site during the incident, as was Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai. The April 30 tragedy was the deadliest civilian disaster in Israel's history.
Lavie accepted responsibility for the police's failure to prevent the disaster immediately but did not tender his resignation at the time. In his letter of resignation, he wrote, "Immediately after the disaster, I said that I, as the commander of the event, I bear responsibility. By that, I meant genuine responsibility, with no tricks and no gimmicks."
He said he waited to leave the position because of tasks that required attention, such as the high rate of crime in Arab communities. "However, I've decided that this is the time to conclude my role as commander of the Northern District and retire from the Israel Police."
"As commander of the Northern District, Shimon Lavi worked in many areas, particularly the fight against crime in the Arab community and the building of forces for the future," a police statement said following the move.
