'It’s a Gamble on Life': United Hatzalah Chief Issues Urgent Safety Warning as Yeshiva Break Ends
Following a series of fatal accidents involving students on vacation, Eli Pollak calls for extreme caution at beaches and hiking trails, urging parents and youth to prioritize safety to ensure a tragedy-free return to the yeshiva.
A string of devastating accidents involving yeshiva students during their spring break has prompted a sharp, emotional plea for caution from United Hatzalah Deputy CEO Eli Pollak. in an interview for Radio Kol Chai morning show, Pollak warned that the joy of the Bein HaZmanim holiday period has once again been stained by preventable tragedies.
The warning follows a somber weekend: on Friday, a young man was seriously injured at a Netanya beach while his brother remains missing at sea. On Sunday, another yeshiva student tragically passed away following an incident in southern Israel.
"It Is Completely Preventable"
Expressing deep frustration over the recurring nature of these disasters, Pollak emphasized that basic safety awareness could save lives.
"It is so sad. These disasters happen when they could be completely avoided," Pollak told Kol Chai Radio . "A little caution, a little understanding of the consequences, understanding what the sea is, the danger of entering the water at an unmonitored beach or when conditions are hazardous. This is within everyone's control, yet these are things we warn about every single year."
Pollak stressed that entering the ocean at non-declared beaches is not just a risk, but a "gamble on one’s life." He noted that for years, the end of the yeshiva break has been "painted in the colors of mourning," turning a time meant for refreshment into a time of grief.
A Message to Parents: "Don't Say 'It Won't Happen to Me'
The deputy CEO turned his attention toward families, noting that safety is a shared responsibility. He urged parents to be proactive in vetting their children’s travel plans.
"It’s not just the youth who need to know this; it’s their parents," Pollak stated. "In many cases, parents share in this lack of awareness. A parent must know where their son is going, if the hiking trail is authorized, if there is enough water, and if the conditions are suitable. Don't just say 'it won't happen to me' - simply check."
Life and Death in the Field
Beyond the coast, United Hatzalah has been active in numerous rescues in the streams and desert regions of the south. Pollak described many of these as the result of simple human error that spirals into tragedy.
"Caution during trips isn't just a slogan; it’s a matter of life and death," he concluded. "We are standing here with a stopwatch, waiting for Bein HaZmanim to end just so everyone can return safely, but these disasters wake us up every time."
The Bein HaZmanim period is set to conclude this coming Saturday night with the start of the new month, Rosh Chodesh Iyar. While many yeshiva students will return to the study halls on Sunday, some will resume their studies as early as Thursday.
Now that the break is over and the semester is starting up again, the goal is for every student to get back safely, healthy, energized, and ready to reclaim their spots in the study hall.