State Comptroller Michah Lindenstrauss released a piercing
report this week revealing the system-wide failure in
managing the gravesite of R' Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron.
In his report, which was prepared at the request of the State
Control Committee, Lindenstrauss addresses power struggles,
illegal construction, poor maintenance, flawed arrangements
for central events, problematic sanitation conditions by
various entities carrying out a variety of illegal activities
at the site, unlawful peddling and a lack of enforcement,
noting that these unlawful activities are not in keeping with
the sanctity of the site.
A substantial portion of the report is devoted to harsh
criticism and warnings regarding the genuine threat to the
safety of over one million visitors who come to the site to
pray every year on Lag B'Omer as well as the public
transportation services and the poor conditions at the site.
In concluding the report Lindenstrauss recommends the site
management be transferred to another centralized entity under
the state's auspices or supervision.
HaRav Shmuel Rabinovitz, the rov of the Kosel Maarovi and
sacred sites, received the report from the State Comptroller
and his staff is currently studying its recommendations.
HaRav Rabinovitz notes that a Committee of Five was recently
set up, including members who are yirei'im vechareidim
ledvar Hashem and are eager to accommodate site visitors
and strengthen kedushoh and tznius at the
site.
"If this committee succeeds it will certainly solve the
difficult problems the State Comptroller raised," he said.
