A large wildfire in the Jerusalem Hills fanned by strong winds and dry conditions forced authorities to cancel for the first time Israel’s traditional Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony. Several communities were evacuated, and firefighting crews were deployed to battle the blaze.
“Unfortunately, as the hours pass, the weather forecast for Mount Herzl during the hours of the ceremony does not allow for the ceremony to take place,” said Minister of Transport, National Infrastructure and Road Safety Miri Regev, who is in charge of organizing the ceremony. Instead the dress rehearsal that was recorded in advance on Monday was broadcast.
This latest crisis comes just a week after major fires that lasted more than 21 hours and burned more than 10,000 dunams (10 sq. km) of forest land in the Beit Shemesh and Jerusalem Hills areas, including Eshtaol, Beit Meir, Mesilat Zion, and Shaar Hagai.
Despite the intensity of both fires, authorities stressed that there is no indication of arson or negligence. On the other hand, Arabic social media posts are calling to ‘Burn the occupation’s forests and settlements’. Police are investigating the source of the posts.
If this is arson, it must be investigated and the source eliminated!