Show me another country where 45 people are crushed to death, hundreds of revelers are wounded, and those responsible for ensuring their safety but failed in their mission continue to serve in their roles and remain tasked with keeping people safe. Where is the justice?
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In one of his interviews with the media, then-Public Security Minister Amir Ohana said responsibility was not the same thing as guilt. One can argue with the claim but not with the outcome.
There are two incidents in which it is difficult or impossible to prove guilt: When the commander on the ground has responsibility but not authority or when they have authority but not responsibility.
Around a year ago, soon after the tragedy transpired, Northern District Police Chief Shimon Lavi stood before the cameras and bravely said, "I bear responsibility." But to this day, he and his people are convinced that despite having authority, they are not guilty. Police Chief Yaakov Shabtai also claims not to be guilty, arguing, among other things, that the disaster was the result of an engineering failure and the event was a local matter despite the fact that Lavi's commander was the one who authorized the operation plan. And the minister? His responsibility amounted to providing absolute backing to the Israel Police and the police chief.
So who the hell is guilty then? This question was also asked by members of a committee tasked with examining the escape of six terrorists from Gilboa Prison. Surprisingly, or not, not only did not one commander admit guilt, but as soon as the question of responsibility was raised, accusations were thrown in every which direction. As was the case with Mount Meron, so too did Israel Prison Service officials maintain their positions of authority despite the prison break. The only difference between the two instances is that the Meron committee is still delving into the evidence while the Gilboa committee has reasoned that the blame does not lie with the gatekeeper but rather those who bear responsibility: the Israel Prison Service Commissioner Katy Perry, her deputy, the Northern District police chief, and the prison warden.
Nevertheless, the police were not the only ones responsible for the proper execution of the Mount Meron festivities. The Religious Services Ministry and the managers of the site, the latter of which have had a year to determine who was responsible for the failure, are also responsible.
The commission of inquiry is expected to compensate the families of the victims and make clear who was responsible for the failures at the site.
One can only hope this year's celebrations will go smoothly and that Lag B'Omer can go back to being a festive holiday. One must also hope the revelers take care and stay safe. Because after all, we all know that when push comes to shove, no one will take responsibility for their lives.
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