Hundreds of police officers and volunteers from the Israel Police will participate in securing the Lag BaOmer event in Meron this year, with the Northern District under the command of Chief Zohar Dvir responsible for the entire event. At the same time, the National Traffic Police, led by the head of the Traffic Division, Chief Yaakov (Chico) Edri, and under the command of the head of the Matna, Chief Amnon Itzkowitz, will manage the entire traffic arrangements to Meron and back.
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The police stated that they "will do everything in their power so that the masses of Beit Yisrael can realize their desire and longing to ascend to the throne of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron." However, since this is an event in which tens of thousands of people participate, the police attach the utmost importance to their operational preparation, in order to ensure the safety of those who come. This year, arrival in Meron will be made only by public transportation. Traffic and operational updates will be broadcast throughout the event on various media outlets.
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This year, Lag BaOmer falls on the evening of Shabbat, and therefore unique halachic issues were raised for Fridays and Shabbat regarding operational matters. In order to provide a halachic/operational response, the Deputy Chief Rabbi of the Israel Police, Senior Rabbi Moshe Gafni, and the Northern District Rabbi, Chief Rabbi Anshil Friedman, will closely monitor police activity, and will halachically guide all police activities in preparations for the celebration.
Below are the updated traffic arrangements for arriving in Meron:
As mentioned, arrival in Meron will be made exclusively by buses/minibuses.
Definition of transportation:
Regulated companies are companies that have a regulated operating franchise. Unregulated companies are private companies, as well as minibuses.
Security check:
Security checks will be conducted at two main locations. For regulated transportation, the check will be conducted in Megiddo, and for unregulated transportation (buses and minibuses) in Elifelet. This is a security check as was done in previous years, after which the trip will be continuous without stops.
Arrival where?
The regulated transportation companies will arrive with the passengers after the security check at the bus terminal, get off and walk through the tunnel towards Rabbi Shimon's Zion. The non-regulated companies will arrive at remote parking lots.
The Hoffman company will direct its buses to the Safsofeh parking lot, and the other unregulated companies will be directed to the Ein Hozim parking lot.
All passengers from both parking lots will be transported by shuttles from the parking lots to the drop-off point at the traffic circle at the entrance to Meron.
Return from Miron
Passengers who arrived with organized transportation will walk to the bus terminal where they will get off, board the buses, and return to the cities from which they came.
Passengers of the unregulated buses will walk to the shuttle terminal, and from there they will be driven back to the parking lots from which they came.
Road closures:
Starting Friday at 7:00 AM, main traffic routes will be blocked to private vehicles, as detailed below:
• Highway 65 – from the Golani junction towards Kadrim.
• Highway 85 – from Rama Junction to Amiad Junction, in both directions.
• Highway 866 – from the Hananya intersection towards Meron.
• Highway 89 – from Hiram Junction to Elifelet Interchange, in both directions.
• Highway 886 – from the Rihaniya Intersection to Ein Hozim Square.
• Highway 8900–from the Biriye intersection to Ein Hozim Square.
• Exit from Safed to Route 89.
• Entry or exit from Safed will be possible via Highway 8900, from the direction of Rosh Pina only.
Road closure dates:
On Friday: 16.5.14 – from 07:00 until the beginning of Shabbat.
Saturday: 17th of Iyar 17.5.14 until Sunday at midnight.
The immediate blockages will be near Meron, and as the time gets closer to the lighting date, the blockages will move away towards the Golani Junction and other junctions.
VIP entry:
The arrival of VIPs will be based on a precise list and approvals that are arranged in advance with the Northern District of the Israel Police. VIPs who have received regulated approval from the Israel Police will arrive by prior arrangement at the Sheva Intersection (Hanania).
Disabled people, with a disability certificate, who are limited to walking only
Only those who meet the above criteria will arrive at the "Frud" parking lot via the Sheva intersection, where they will board the "Ezer M'Zion" association shuttle and be driven to Rabbi Shimon's Zion in Meron.
It is important to note that arriving by bus is ten times safer than traveling by private vehicle, the drivers are guided and supervised by the companies' safety officers. In addition, the National Traffic Police will conduct surprise inspections of the fitness of the public vehicles and the drivers in order to prevent any concern about the risk to passengers.
Refreshment stations:
For passengers on public transportation, refreshment stations have been arranged on Highway 6, Golani Junction, Elifelet Interchange and Lake Monfort.
As stated: The Israel Police is prepared with large forces of the National Traffic Police to prevent blocking traffic routes and disrupting the proper flow of the routes to Meron. The police will set up roadblocks to prevent the arrival of private vehicles, so there is no point in trying to outsmart and bypass the blockages since there will be police checkpoints both on the paved roads and on the dirt roads leading to Meron.
Private vehicles will not be allowed to park on the sides of the road. Vehicles parked in an irregular manner will be towed. Drivers are asked to be patient and follow the police's instructions and guidelines.
Arrival and travel arrangements for residents of the settlements near Meron or for those booking guest rooms near Meron
Residents living near Meron will be allowed to travel on the roads blocked to private vehicles, only after presenting an ID card with the address listed.
Other members of the public who have booked guest rooms will be asked to present their hotel/bed and breakfast registration certificates to the police. It is important to emphasize that vehicles will not be allowed into Meron itself from Friday morning at 7:00 AM.
In light of the changes in traffic arrangements, drivers are asked to pay attention to the directional signs and signage on the sides of the road.
Public order:
The celebration of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron attracts hundreds of thousands of people for a short period of time. In order to prevent any disruption, the Israel Police is preparing for any scenario of any kind, including blocking traffic routes and disrupting the proper course of this unique event.
The police are working to protect public safety, human life and property, and will therefore demonstrate zero tolerance for disorderly conduct. The police are also preparing to minimize the difficulty of access and to minimize disruption to the daily lives of residents living in close proximity to Meron and in areas where roads will be blocked.
Safety of immigrants to Zion in Meron
The public is asked in every language of request not to climb on electricity poles/fences and bus stops or on trees, and to move only on roads marked for pedestrians. Saving life is the sacred mission of Lag BaOmer.
The public is called upon to keep a close and necessary watch over the small children who arrive at the scene. Pay attention to the human pressure and do not take your eyes off the children for a moment, 'give them a hand' or put them on your shoulders.
If the weather is hot, the public is asked to drink plenty of water.
It is mandatory to obey the instructions of the police and the ushers and to avoid being pushed around, and although it would be wise for Rabbi Shimon to trust him in times of need, one should also remember the Gemara's statement that "Let no one say, 'Perhaps a miracle will be performed for me.'" The police are prepared for any scenario, and if necessary, the public address system will be activated on site and instructions will be given to the entire public on how to prepare. The police operate in full and close cooperation with all security and rescue services.
