Meron Disaster

'We only received the bodies at noon'

'If we had received the bodies at 8am, we could have finished identifying them all before Shabbat,' head of Forensic Institute says.

Families of Meron victims to receive emergency grant

Jewish Agency to provide emergency assistance for bereaved families of Mt. Meron tragedy.

Meron Probe Launched:

State Comptroller: Meron disaster could have been prevented

Top government monitor, Matanyahu Englman, launches probe of Meron catastrophe which left 45 people dead during Lag Ba'Omer festival.

Who’s responsible for the Meron disaster?

No one factor is to blame. A perfect storm of elements came together, exposing a system filled with flaws, many of them cultural. Op-ed.

This is how Jewish day schools balanced Lag Ba'omer with tragedy

At Jewish day schools, principals struggle with how to celebrate Lag b’Omer and commemorate the tragedy at Meron.

Touching tribute: Singing in memory of Daniel Morris

Hundreds of students sing in memory of Daniel Morris, who was killed in the Meron disaster, following his funeral.

Government, police planning to blame Supreme Court for tragedy

Internal Security Minister Ohana orders staff to gather evidence indicating Supreme Court blocked government from taking control of site.

Poles react to Meron disaster: 'The fewer Jews the better'

Comments section to article on Meron disaster in Polish media swamped with anti-Semitic hate.

Gantz demands state commission of inquiry into Meron tragedy

"Inquiry should begin as soon as possible, while evidence is still readily accessible."

'Give me back my children alive!' cries mother of two victims

Rabbi Batzri lost 3 close relatives. "G-d picked the most beautiful flowers from His garden, but it is so, so hard."

Watch Live: Meron disaster victim Daniel Morris laid to rest

American yeshiva student from Teaneck killed in Meron disaster laid to rest in Israel.

Netanyahu visits Meron injured in Rambam hospital

"One of the parents told me something that sums all this up: The Jewish People has one collective heart."

'I'll see that police officer before my eyes until my dying day'

"Next to me there was a man with his 3-year-old son, begging me: Get my son out or he'll be killed. And that was before the disaster."

Jewish Agency head: 'Our tears rend the heavens'

Jewish Agency, World Zionist Congress, communities around the world unite Sunday at 8pm to mourn the 45 victims.

Wife of Meron tragedy victim: He wanted everyone to be happy

"I kept calling his phone, fearing the worst - I was going out of my mind."

Meretz MK's conclusion on Meron tragedy: Get rid of Netanyahu

"This is why we need to get rid of Netanyahu & keep the haredim out of government," concludes MK Yair Golan.

MK Gafni: Why didn't the government act before it was too late?

"There was no way so many people could converge on such a small place without a tragedy occurring."

'Police came with fire in their eyes'

Hasidim who were at Meron deadly disaster blame police for incident in which 45 people were killed.

We must become stronger in 'baseless love' for one another

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu: We must become stronger in 'baseless love' for one another.

Rabbi of Daniel Morris: The world has lost an angel

Rabbi Aryeh Waxman of the Sha'alvim yeshiva remembers American youth who perished in Meron.

Former police leaders: Establish Meron commission of inquiry

Forum of Retired Superintendents call for full-scale investigation into deadly incident to prevent future catastrophes.

US teen calls for unity during 'super sad time'

US teen visiting Meron for Lag B'Omer says friend's brother killed in disaster, pleads for Jewish unity, love within the nation.

Chief Rabbi calls for changes at Meron

Rabbi David Lau says state must act to impose 'order' at religious site where 45 were killed last week.

Meron victims from abroad buried without family present

One of these victims was Canadian singer Shragee Gestetner, of Montreal.

Flags lowered to half-mast on day of mourning

Knesset, President's Residence lower flags to half-mast in mourning for 45 who perished at Meron.

Female soldiers attacked while helping Meron victims

Soldiers continue to evacuate wounded despite verbal, physical abuse at site where 45 died on Mt. Meron.

Forensic Institute: All 45 victims identified

Abu Kabir Forensic Institute announces 44 bodies released for burial, the remaining will be released in the course of the day.

These are the 45 who died in Meron

Forensic institute completes identification of the 45 who died in Meron disaster as the heartbreaking funerals continue.

13-year-old Yedidya Chayut laid to rest in Jerusalem

Avigdor Chayut eulogizes his son who was killed in the Meron stampede: You will never part from us.

Haredi journalist warned of danger - and is beating his chest

Aryeh Ehrlich tweeted in 2018 about the dangerous bottleneck in Meron - and now blames himself for not doing more to prevent tragedy.

Tel Aviv: Candles lit in memory of those killed in Meron tragedy

Dozens of people from Tel Aviv and its environs gather at Habima Square to light candles in memory of the 45 victims of the Meron disaster.

Volunteers offer support to hundreds of families

Volunteers distribute food, drinks, and encouragement to hundreds of families at Tzfat bus station.

Watch: Heartfelt prayers at Western Wall in wake of disaster

Saturday night prayer gathering is followed by heartfelt singing, after Meron disaster kills 45.

Daniel Morris from New Jersey among dead in Meron disaster

Donny Morris was 'beloved by his friends, had a sense of humor and was bursting with love of life,' yeshiva says.

Ayelet Shaked: In a few days, things will be more clear

MK Ayelet Shaked urges prayers for injured in Meron disaster, says party is working to form 'good and stable government.'

The Daily Portion

On the disaster in Meron

Ordinarily,Sefira customs associated with mourning end on Lag Ba'Omer, but this year they have, tragically, been extended.

'All the kids are heartbroken': American teens killed in Meron

At least 6 Americans, including 3 teenagers, among victims in Israeli stampede.

Chilling recordings of emergency networks from Meron

The MDA has released recordings of calls made on its network as the Meron disaster unfolded.

Photos: Israeli representatives bring flags down to half-mast

Honoring national day of mourning in memory of 45 who died in Meron disaster, Israeli representatives abroad bring flags down to half-mast.

Blinken speaks to Ashkenazi following Meron disaster

“The bond between the United States and Israel is ironclad and we stand ready to assist,” says US Secretary of State.

Identification of Meron victims to continue after Shabbat

The identification process of the 45 people who were killed in stampede stopped due to the start of Shabbat.

Canada expresses condolences over Meron disaster

Canadian PM Trudeau, opposition leader O’Toole join other world leaders who expressed condolences deadly stampede during in Meron.

Netanyahu donates blood following Meron disaster

PM Netanyahu: I will do everything, the Israeli government will do everything, to help the families of those who perished.

'I am deeply moved by the outpouring of support'

Israel’s Ambassador to the US and UN thanks world leaders who expressed condolences and offered support following Meron disaster.

Biden: We stand with the people of Israel & Jewish communities

Read full Statement from President Joe Biden on the Tragedy in Israel

Israel's Foreign Ministry responds to well-wishers

Foreign Minister Ashkenazi has released a statement answering the tide of sympathy for Meron from around the world.

Israel to hold day of mourning for Meron victims

PM Netanyahu declares national day of mourning for victims of Meron tragedy. 'Let us all unite.'

Helping children cope with the Meron tragedy

Project Chai releases a crisis/ trauma guide for families and children coping with the recent tragedy in Meron.

Singer Shraga Gestetner killed in Meron tragedy

Hasidic singer Shraga Gestetner named as one of the 45 killed in Meron tragedy. Watch his previous interview with Arutz Sheva.

Jewish Agency mourns victims of Meron tragedy

Pres. Rivlin opens call center to help those searching for loved ones.

'Dozens of people were lying on the floor'

'Everywhere there were cries for help, there was the smell of death and bereavement,' says ZAKA volunteer who responded to Meron disaster.

'The writing was on the wall' for Meron disaster

'No danger to life, none of the injured are in critical condition,' Health Min. Director General says of those injured in Meron disaster.

IAC stands with Israelis who lost loved ones in Meron

Israeli American Council: We are deeply saddened by the terrible tragedy at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai at Mount Meron.

Meron: Condolences from around the world

The world's embassies send their thoughts and prayers to the people injured in Meron.

MDA paramedic: 'We removed the injured from piles of people'

Meron tragedy 'one of the greatest civilian disasters the State of Israel has ever known,' MDA Director General says.

Watch: Kaddish prayer for victims of Meron disaster

Rabbi Anshel Friedman, ZAKA chief in northern Israel, says Kaddish for those who died in Meron stampede prior to identification by families.

'The cell phones belonging to those killed do not stop ringing'

'People were running in every direction, tragedy is unfathomable,' ZAKA spokespersons says.

Jerusalem opens emergency headquarters for victims of disaster

Jerusalem mayor orders social services to open headquarters to aid families of those killed, injured, in Meron tragedy.

Meron tragedy aftermath: Coping with trauma

When, G-d forbid,disaster strikes, in addition to prayer, mourning and shock, there are coping strategies. Op-ed.

44 people killed in huge crowd crush in Meron

At least 44 killed, dozens more injured in mass crowd crush during Lag Ba'Omer celebrations in Meron.