Pain in the Haredi community: At the end of the small cabinet meeting that discussed last night (Monday) the outline of the Rashbi celebration in Meron, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the celebration to be canceled - given the fragility of the ceasefire in Lebanon.
The decision was made after several security situation assessments led by him, and against the backdrop of the Home Front Command's update that imposed a gathering limit of up to 1,500 people in the confrontation line area and in the communities of Meron, Bar Yochai, Or HaGnuz and Safsupa.
The prime minister's main reason for canceling the usual celebration was the fear of Hezbollah fire.
In a letter sent to ministers at the end of the cabinet meeting by Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fox, it was stated that the Prime Minister had assumed that "the events celebrating Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai will not be held this year in a large-scale format, but rather in a purely symbolic format.".
He noted that "the background to the directive is fear of a high-casualty incident due to the fragility of the ceasefire with Lebanon, the proximity of the site to the Lebanese border, rocket launches into the area, and difficulty in widespread evacuation.".
It was reported that detailed instructions regarding the symbolic format of the celebration will be provided closer to the event date by the authorized authorities.
Last Thursday, the cabinet met to discuss the security issues on the agenda, and at the end, it was also decided that strict restrictions should be imposed on mass gatherings on Lag BaOmer in Meron.
Following a firm demand from the organizers of the celebration, according to which such a decision cannot be made casually, a discussion was held with the Prime Minister yesterday afternoon. MK Meir Porush presented the position of the large number of Haredi members who refuse to accept the direction to cancel the celebration events in Meron.
MK Porush, along with the project manager Yosef Deitch, emphasized to the Prime Minister that in the current situation, where there are no restrictions at all throughout the country, it is not possible to impose strict restrictions on an event that represents Israel's long-standing tradition.
The discussion presented examples of the existence of large-scale events across the country, such as a huge gathering of the Druze community last weekend, sporting events attended by tens of thousands in Haifa and Jerusalem, and more.
""There is no way to explain such discrimination to the public," they said painfully.
On the other hand, the Prime Minister and security officials claimed that there is a worsening trend in the security situation in the north and that Meron's location is more sensitive.
The two, who have worked to help with their experience in preparing for the celebration, made it clear at the meeting that they will not be able to cooperate with a move to impose restrictions and are asking to withdraw from the issue. "We have experience in organizing mass events and this is the purpose for which they asked for our help. In a situation of restrictions, we have nothing to contribute and we will refuse to cooperate," they said.
Porosh and Deitch warned at the meeting that completely canceling the festivities would mean chaos and real danger to life. During the discussion, they mentioned the events in Meron in previous years when restrictions were imposed, which ended in disturbances and danger to all those present.
MK Porush called for at least continuing preparations for the celebration in Meron, in case the security situation changes and it becomes possible to hold the celebration in full. However, various parties who participated in the meeting strongly opposed it.
As mentioned, at the end of the discussions, it was decided to cancel the usual celebration format.
Last night, the Home Front Command reinstated restrictions to the confrontation line area - and starting today, gatherings will be limited to only 1,500 people in the confrontation line settlements and in Meron, Bar Yochai, Or HaGnuz and Safsupa.
The IDF spokesman's statement said: "Following a situation assessment by the Home Front Command, it was decided to update the defense policy:
In the confrontation line guideline area and in the communities of Meron, Bar Yochai, Or HaGnuz and Safsupa, a gathering limit of up to 1,500 people will apply.
""The guidelines are in effect from Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 10:30 PM, until Monday, April 27, at 8:00 PM.
""The rest of the guidelines in the defense policy remain unchanged.".
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