Ben Caspit speaks this week to professor Chuck Freilich, a professor of political science at Columbia University. This expert on Israel’s national security strategy and Israel’s decision-making processes details five failures which brought about the tragedy of Mount Meron, where 45 people were trampled to death last week. For Freilich, the first reason relates to Israel’s top political leadership — including the prime minister, the minister of the interior, the minister of religious affairs and the minister of domestic security. "They all pressed all out to hold this festival without any restrictions on numbers. They’re all of course now doing their best to avoid taking any responsibility. They had pressed for [holding the celebrations on Mount Meron] despite the fact that the dangers were well known, and despite the dangers related to COVID," he said. 

Links:

     -Warnings foreshadowed deadly stampede in Israel (al-monitor.com) 

     -Dozens killed at stampede in Israel during religious celebration (al-monitor.com) 

     -Israelis blame ultra-Orthodox for coronavirus pandemic (al-monitor.com) 

     -Ultra-Orthodox riot across Israel over lockdown (al-monitor.com)