Education Ministry on the Ramat Ramim disaster: "The route was not in a prohibited area"

Education Minister Yoav Kisch addressed the tragedy during a school trip in Ma'alot, where a student was killed by an unexploded ordnance explosion. Kisch clarified that the approved route was not in an area prohibited by KKL-JNF. The Ministry of Education stated that strict safety instructions were issued, and the circumstances of the incident are being investigated in a joint inquiry by the IDF, the police, and the ministry.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch addressed today (Tuesday) the tragic incident that occurred last night during a school trip near Ma'alot, in which student Elazar Vilensky was killed by an unexploded ordnance explosion. Kisch clarified that the approved route for the trip was not planned to pass through an area defined by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) as prohibited for activity. In an official statement from the Ministry of Education, it was stated that the ministry acted in accordance with KKL-JNF restrictions and explicitly ordered a ban on activity in the area affected by war damage. It was further noted that as part of the trip approval, strict safety instructions were issued, including an absolute prohibition on touching missile remnants and ammunition. The exact circumstances of the incident and the actual route taken are currently being investigated in a joint inquiry by the IDF, the Israel Police, and the Ministry of Education. The ministry emphasizes that the full findings of the investigation must be awaited. Following the incident, the approval framework for activities in the field will be reexamined together with all professional parties.