"Regarding the celebration - he set the tone": Deri testifies to the Mount Meron Disaster Committee

After the former Minister of Internal Security presented his version to the committee, the former Minister of the Interior also presents his position regarding the incident in which 45 people perished.

Earlier this week, Ohana said Deri had asked him to support the outline presented

Shlomi Heller

02/06/2022

Thursday, 02 June 2022, 10:17 Updated: 10:19

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Live broadcast from the Meron conference (Photo: GPO)

Former Interior Minister Aryeh Deri is testifying at this time (Thursday) before the Har Meron disaster investigation committee.

Deri was previously accused of being "very involved in everything related to the revelry and setting the tone."

Earlier this week, former Homeland Security Minister Amir Ohana testified at the committee, claiming he could not have acted differently regarding the conduct of the site during the disaster.

"The wisdom in retrospect is very small," he said.

During his testimony he was asked to provide details on the forces' readiness and readiness to handle the incident.

Ohana spoke about the preparatory meeting held by the police about a week before the disaster, in the shadow of the other challenges they faced - including enforcing the Corona guidelines and security tensions in Jerusalem.

More on Walla!

Ohana on the Meron Disaster Inquiry Committee: Even in retrospect, I could not have acted differently

To the full article

More on Walla!

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"Set the tone."

Deri (Photo: Flash 90, Yonatan Zindel)

Ohana explained that every year thousands of police officers are assigned to the event, and preparations for it begin about six months in advance.

"As we got closer to the event my involvement grew," he said.

"During the month of April, both in front of the police and in front of ultra-Orthodox elements, I recognized the disconnect between the police and many in the ultra-Orthodox society who felt over-enforcement during the Corona period."

In his testimony, Ohana emphasized the crisis of trust that arose between the ultra-Orthodox society and the police in the face of the atmosphere during the Corona period, and the decrease in morbidity that enabled the gathering.

"Before the celebration, all the heads of the ultra-Orthodox authorities gathered and expressed the public's feelings about the decrease in morbidity," Ohana explained.

"These are data that are difficult to deal with. In the background we will add the political tension and the demonstrations of the Alps in Balfour."

He noted in this context, the conversation with Deri, in which he expressed support for the outline that was followed.

"He asked me to support him," Ohana explained.

"The police can not hold an event in a safe manner where they will have to find out who enters and who does not. For example, the placement of fences may create pressure. I heard this position from the commissioner and other sources."

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