Israeli military on Saturday said some female soldiers who were assisting the victims of the Mount Meron disaster were "physically and verbally" attacked.
A stampede that broke out at the Lag BaOmer festivities on the mountain overnight Thursday claimed the lives of 45 worshippers, including 10 children, becoming the worst civilian tragedy in Israel's history. Sunday was declared as national mourning day.
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Israeli soldiers stand in formation as the national flag is lowered to half-mast as the country observes a day of mourning
(Photo: Reuters)
IDF said number of female Home Front Command troops tasked with evacuating the injured worshippers complained about the violence directed toward them.
Some ultra-Orthodox worshippers, according to the IDF, hurled verbal abuse at female soldiers and tried to shove them away from the casualties lying on the ground, telling them that women should not come into physical contact with men.
"At the beginning of the Home Front Command assistance in the tomb complex [of Rabbi Shlomo bar Yochai] at Mount Meron, a number of civilians conducted themselves in a violent manner, physically and verbally, against female soldiers who were evacuating injured civilians," the military said in a statement.
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Medics and rescue workers attend to the Lag B'Omer event in Mount Meron
(Photo: Reuters)
The military said the troops "persisted and completed their mission" despite the attacks from some of the worshippers.
"The issue was reported by the troops on Friday during an initial inquiry into the event, prior to the troops' return to their bases. The IDF condemns any form of physical or verbal violence towards its female and male soldiers, and views such incidents with great severity.
"The IDF and the Home Front Command will continue to rescue, help and assist any citizen or resident in need."
Article was reprinted with permission from i24NEWS