Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs to formulate a policy that will prevent cases in which criminals convicted of serious offenses take an active part in state-funded events, following the publication in Israel Hayom that Rabbi Eliezer Berland was expected to light a bonfire in Meron.
Prior to the Rashbi's celebration, Merav Sever reported that Berland was expected to light a bonfire on the Mount. Following the exposure, the Movement for Quality Government wrote to the attorney general: "Seven years have not passed since the date of his conviction, and therefore according to the procedure he is not allowed to be included in the list of lighters in the upcoming Rashbi revelry."
Minister Amichai Eliyahu (Archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu said, "If Eliezer Berland lights a fire in Meron, it will be an unparalleled disgrace. We won't know where to bury ourselves." Berland finally managed to circumvent the prohibition imposed on him by lighting the torch and passing it to his followers, who lit the fire.
Israel Hayom has learned that the heritage minister is not satisfied with the protest, but is actively working to prevent Berland from lighting it in the future. On Sunday, he brought up the fact that the man, a convicted sex offender, held a fire on Mount Meron last week, contrary to agreements with his community. When he raised the issue, other ministers joined his position at the meeting.
As a result, the Prime Minister instructed Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs to formulate a policy that will prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future. Next week, the issue is expected to come up again at the cabinet meeting.
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