25 years after the Maccabiah Bridge disaster, in which 4 athletes of the Australian delegation lost their lives and were injured 69, the Maccabiah held an exciting memorial event today (Monday) at the place where the terrible disaster occurred near the Yarkon River.
700 participants attended the memorial event, including members of the Australian delegation, Minister of Culture and Sports Hili Trooper, Mayor of Ramat Gan, Carmel Shamla HaCohen, Australian Ambassador to Israel Paul Griffiths, members of the Maccabi World Movement board and senior Maccabiah officials.
On July 14, 1997, during the opening ceremony of the 15th Maccabiah, a temporary bridge erected over the Yarkon River collapsed to allow the passage of the Maccabiah delegations to the Ramat Gan stadium.
The bridge collapsed as members of the Australian delegation marched on it and fell into the water.
Four members of the Australian delegation were killed as a result of the fall and pollution of the Yarkon River: Greg Small, Yeti Bennett, Warren Zaines and the late Elizabeth Swiki and 69 were injured to varying degrees.
After 25 years: Remembering the victims of the Maccabiah Bridge, Photo: Oren Aharoni
The ceremony opened with a memorial march held on the Yarkon Bridge and at the end the participants placed wreaths and memorial candles in a monument in memory of the dead.
Tom Goldman, Vice President of Maccabi World Movement and Head of the Australian Delegation at the time of the disaster, said at the ceremony that: "Like 25 years ago, today I stand before you and seek to convey the Jewish spirit of Maccabi. "I remember the four members of the delegation who are no longer with us and will continue to represent the values of Maccabi Worldwide. I wish everyone who sits here the most success. Strengthen and embrace."
Also during the opening event of the Maccabiah, which will be held this coming Thursday at the Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, honors will be paid to the victims of the disaster and to the victims of the massacre in Munich that took place 50 years ago. About two years ago, and the person who worked at the 15th Maccabiah and jumped into the water in order to save the victims of the bridge disaster, Anok Spitzer, daughter of the late Andrei Spitzer from the massacre in Munich 50 years ago.
After 25 years: Remembering the victims of the Maccabiah Bridge, Photo: Oren Aharoni
"Even 25 years later the painful memory of the loss of the four members of the Australian delegation has been found."
Said Paul Griffiths, Australia's ambassador to Israel.
"Today's ceremony is a humane and moving tribute to Maccabi in memory of the four fallen from the Australian delegation. The passage of the largest Australian delegation on the bridge represents the continuation of the warm bond between Maccabi Australia and Maccabi and the Jewish community. Thank you to everyone who came
After 25 years: Remembering the victims of the Maccabiah Bridge, Photo: Oren Aharoni
The chairman of Maccabi World Movement, Amir Peled, added: "Half a century after the terrible disaster, and the memory of the dead stands before our eyes and accompanies us every day.
We embrace the families and grieve together the grief over the untimely death of their loved ones.
"Every year the number of participants in the Australian delegation increases, and we welcome the important and exciting connection that has been established between the Australian delegations and Maccabiah. The Australian delegation is one of the largest to come to Israel this year, with more than 1,000 athletes and mentors.
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