Ezer Weizman At A Somber Moment In Israel In 1997 Editorial Photo

Ezer Weizman, President of Israel, confers with Maccabiah Games officials at Ramat Gan Stadium in Ramat Gan, Israel on July 14, 1997. This image was made about 8 pm, the moment when the Maccabiah Games opening night ceremonies was scheduled to begin. But at 7:25 pm a major tragedy took place a few hundred meters away. A pedestrian bridge leading to the stadium collapsed, plunging about 100 members of the Australian delegation into the sewage and pesticide-laden Yarkon River, about 15 feet below, injuring scores and killing 1 on the spot. Three others died in the days following the tragedy. Weizman was discussing whether the opening ceremonies should be cancelled. They were not, but were instead abbreviated. This decision remained a source of controversy.