Scene of accident in Mount Herzl
Photo: Eliad Levy
Second Lt. Hila Bezaleli
Independence Day ceremony to go ahead as planned
State officials decide next week's ceremony to be held in Mount Herzl as planned despite stage collapse. Second Lt. Hila Bezaleli who died in tragic accident to be honored
The annual Independence Day ceremony will be held in Mount Herzl as planned and not in an alternative venue following the collapse
of a stage that raised serious safety concerns, state officials decided on Friday.
Final approvals from all the relevant parties are still pending. Government ministers also decided that Second Lt. Hila Bezaleli who was killed in the accident will be honored at the ceremony.
Related stories:
- Tragedy clouds Independence Day events
- Mount Herzl tragedy 'could have been avoided'
- Police say suspects liable for stage collapse
The decision was made following consultations between Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Yuli Edelstein and Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin, Tourism Minister Stas Misezhnikov and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.
On Thursday, Rivlin said "In spite of the grief and the great sorrow, Memorial and Independence Day services must take place as planned and on time on Mount Herzl. This is due to the symbolic importance of the mountain and its proximity to the gravestones of those who died in Israel's military campaigns."
Officials considered several alternative venues, including the Knesset Plaza.
Meanwhile, the Jerusalem District Court discussed an appeal on the release of three suspects arrested in relation to the case.
A police representative said that they are investigating various other offences committed by the suspects including forgery and fraudulently obtaining benefits. He said police found a line of failures beginning with the planning stage all the way to the construction of the platform which collapsed.
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