Amid mounting security concerns in northern Israel, the Israel Defense Forces have proposed the abandonment of this year’s customary Lag Ba’omer celerbations in Meron.
This proposal, first reported by Yediot Acharonot, comes three weeks ahead of Lag Ba’omer and follows a series of consultations held by the IDF’s Northern Command and Home Front Command.
The escalating tensions with Hezbollah and recent missile assaults targeting the Meron vicinity from Lebanon have sparked considerable safety apprehensions. The IDF’s suggestion arises from the perceived peril posed by even modest congregations in the area. Over the past few months, Hezbollah has unleashed multiple rockets and missiles toward Northern Command installations in the Meron locale. The persisting threat remains, with the IDF assessing that the situation is not likely to ameliorate. These assaults have inflicted casualties, occasionally leading to civilian injuries or fatalities.
If approved, the proposal would involve the classification of the Meron site as a restricted military area throughout Lag Ba’omer. Both law enforcement and IDF personnel would implement this directive, preventing access to the location. This recommendation mirrors a prior decision made roughly one month earlier, when an event honoring the passing of Moses, slated to occur at Mount Meron, was scrapped based on an IDF suggestion.
“In line with the updated operational situational evaluation, the IDF has advised the relevant stakeholders that the gatherings commemorating the passing of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, scheduled to occur on Mount Meron on May 25-26, 2024, be called off,” the IDF declared. “There are no further alterations in the home front directives.”
{Matzav.com Israel}