My best friend was at the ceremony there and very close to the stage. She could have been severely injured or even by this lamp. I hope that whoever constructed the platform is brought up on negligence charges because thanks to him, a young lady won't be coming home to see her family now. Israel's soldiers deserve better.

It's ridiculous to say that a light falling is divine retribution.

We all remember the one who claimed to know Daat Elyon. His name was Bileam. The rest is history. And hystery

Are you really heavily stoned or something?!? Your post suggests you believe in G-d... Hm... What about your love for others, your compassion, your values? Have you no shame or morals whatsoever?

May you fall very soon in life!

with shoddy workmanship...everything here is done shoddy...

A young woman is dead - can you please at least shut up for a week?

Dude, you're out of your mind.

I can almost see the smirk on your righteous face as you celebrated the death of that unfortunate woman. The collapse of the Maccabiah bridge must have sent you into spasms of ecstasy...

Please keep you malicious, irrelevant comments to yourself. In other words..STUFF IT.

punishment from the blood-thirsty tyrant in the sky?! A very heavy, chromosome-challenged individual you are indeed....

I mean she was a reserve marcher and so by the stage. If she hadn't been transferred to the reserves, then she might have been on the stage and been a casualty. I'm thankful she wasn't, but am sorry someone lost their life thanks to someone else not doing their job right.

A very sad day- for the family of the woman who lost her life- please accept my condolences- but this was sheer neglect! why was the rehearsal held on such a windy day? could it not have been held indoors?

A tragedy and #1 is right. not mutually exclusive. Guess what? the world isn't hefker, ownerless or random. things happen for a reason. to take something as a wake up call is the healthiest most constructively mainstream Jewish thing to do. even when struggling for the why's, that is also good since you can exercise some faith muscles. also inherently jewish and mainstream. most of the comments here are far from anything resembling mainstream Jewish values--the ones that have kept the jewish people identifiable as a nation for a few thousand years.

should be cancelled in memory of the killed girl and for consolation of those wounded (speedy recovery to them). After such a tragedy you cannot continue as if nothing happened.

Who is going to accept responsibility for this tragedy? The answer: probably no one! And even if there is a prosecution for negligence or whatever what will happen? The usual big deal lawyers will do a deal and those who allowed the rehearsal to go ahead will get a smack on the hand and that will be it! That is justice in Israel. A driver knocks down a young girl in hit and run leaving her in a vegetative state and get a fine of NIS1000 and 8 month "Community Service" and NO compensation to the family and the victim! That's the way it is!

Henry, why is it with you Americans, that the first thing you think of is a law suit?! The poor woman's body is still warm, and you talk of claims of negligence!

almost killed by someone's negligence and only escaped harm thanks to a decision about two weeks ago. I'm not thinking about money, I'm thinking about making sure that laws are enforced so this kind of thing doesn't happen again.

That these types of incidence can occur anywhere.Strange that upto now she hasn't expressed her sorrow at the incident.

I am so glad I don't know you. I only wish I knew what you looked like, so I would be able to run when I see you coming, your poor excuse for a human being.

I guess some day talkbacks will be history. I can do perfectly without them...

Would be nice, but given the popularity of social media, unlikely.

I think many of you talkbackers are being premature placing blame. At about 2:45 P.M. I was getting out of my car at my grandchildren's school to pick them up, when, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, a gust of wind ;and blowing sand hit me. I'm 6'2" (185 cm) and weigh 220 lbs (100 kg) and I was nearly knocked off my feet. And you couldn't keep your eyes open because of the sand. This lasted for about one hour. Now I'm not sure if this had anything to do with the stage collapse, but I do think that it should be investigated before blaming anyone. It very well may have been an unfortunate act of nature.

No doubt, she will claim to have a relative involved.

My friend in Israel got sand blown into her eyes. This story is so sad!

This is a tragedy this is not just a 20 year old women. This is a friend and someone who I had a privilege and honor to serve with. This is someone who loved there country with all there heart, someone that put all of there bieng into there service. And any one who thinks that this is a divine intervention is so wrong, and confussed I pity you and I am sorry that that is the type of g-d you believe in. Thankfully I know better. I hope change will made from this incident because this night a mother and father are left with out a daughter, and brothers are left with out a sister. The price of such a simple lesson is far too high, change must accur.

speedy recovery to the injured.