JERUSALEM (VINnews) — An inspector from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority operating in the Judean Desert issued an unusually sharp and pointed appeal to parents and educators, following a series of recurring incidents during the Bein Hazmanim period, when groups of yeshiva students go out on challenging hikes and sometimes treat safety instructions as mere recommendations.

According to him, “Every Bein Hazmanim brings with it a unique challenge with yeshiva students, who come with a lot of motivation to push themselves as much as possible.” However, alongside the desire to go out, hike, and experience the outdoors, he describes a troubling pattern of a basic lack of familiarity with outdoor conduct rules, ongoing disregard for instructions, and leaving large amounts of trash in nature reserves and along trails.

In his appeal, the inspector emphasized that this is a population that does not usually hike, and therefore often perceives professional field guidelines as “nothing more than bothersome recommendations.” In reality, he warns, these are instructions born of accumulated experience—and sometimes from actual disasters. “Park rangers are the authorities in the field, with extensive knowledge and experience, much of which has been written in the blood of hikers,” he wrote.

He called on parents to take responsibility and not just allow their children to go on trips, but also prepare them for proper and safe behavior. “Explain to your children to respect themselves, the park staff, other hikers, and the rules,” he wrote, adding that beyond the “tremendous desecration of G-d’s name” caused by such behavior, in many cases ignoring instructions already borders on life-threatening danger.

The sharpest message in his appeal concerned a statistic he says repeatedly stands out in the field: “The vast majority of rescue cases involve yeshiva students.” Even if not meant as a sweeping accusation against an entire community, it reflects the deep frustration of those who see the consequences up close and are often the first to arrive at scenes where an innocent outing turns into an emergency within minutes.

“This is not just another side comment about littering or discipline. It is a warning. When teenagers head into the desert without basic discipline, without listening to instructions, and with a sense of “it won’t happen to me,” the price can be very heavy. Especially during days of vacation, when people go out to breathe and relax, someone must remind them: nature is not a game, and safety instructions are not recommendations, they are the border between a trip and a disaster.”

On Sunday, three yeshiva students disappeared after a trip in the Small Crater in the Negev and search parties were sent out to find them. After a few hours they were located safe and sound.