The rabbi of the northern police district, Rabbi Anshil Friedman, addressed this morning (Wednesday), in an interview he gave to Noam Zigman on the radio station 'Kol Bramah', the accusations that have been heard in recent days against the Israel Police and its preparations for the celebration in Meron, which this year will cause thousands of police officers to violate Shabbat due to the need to prepare to absorb the masses at the Rashbi Zion.
""Are they asking the police to observe Shabbat? The Haredi public is undisciplined and does whatever it wants," said Friedman.
He explained: "For example, on Shabbat evening, even 10-15 minutes after sunset, cars with Haredim are driving on the mountain and the Israel Police must be there to stop it.".
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Friedman added that the police have no interest in working on Shabbat and, on the contrary, prefer that the police officers rest on Shabbat.
""As long as there is no decision by all Haredi and religious Judaism not to arrive at Mount Meron before Sunday morning, the Israel Police must be in the area," explained the rabbi of the northern district.
As reported by Haredim10, police sources say that "the decision not to postpone the lightings and the Lag BaOmer events by 24 hours forces all security forces to desecrate Shabbat. Despite this, Rabbi Barachihau and the police command team are doing everything possible to reduce the desecration of Shabbat related to the Lag BaOmer events in Meron.".
The same sources emphasize that "any police officer who wishes will be able to stay on Shabbat near Meron.".
Regarding the police rabbi's ruling that the large police forces can arrive in the middle of the Sabbath in the town of Meron, the Israel Police stated: "Rabbi Barachihau's comprehensive halachic ruling, which was given several years ago, reviews the issue from a halachic perspective while adapting it to the challenges of the police in all matters relating to securing mass events in general, and the Rashbi celebration that took place on Saturday in particular.".
""Due to the fear of danger and the need to protect the lives of many in this event, and as a result of the need for the Israel Police to protect human life, maintain public peace and maintain its security, the Rabbi emphasized in this halachic ruling the balance between, on the one hand, the police's duty to carry out the mission successfully and without risking human life, and, on the other hand, reducing the desecration of the Sabbath as much as possible.".
""We note that alongside the permits granted to the security forces in the halachic ruling, the rabbi explicitly stated his recommendation to postpone the Lag BaOmer events in Meron from the Midsummer Festival to Sunday in the spirit of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel's call on the subject of Lag BaOmer.".
""As a matter of fact, the Israel Police, as an organization entrusted with the safety and security of the public, is currently preparing for the security of the Rashbi celebration that will begin on Saturday (Lag B'Omer). As part of the operational preparation and in cooperation with the Rabbinate of the Israel Police, this consideration was taken into account - reducing police activity during the Sabbath.".
""Thus, every police officer participating in the operation will be offered accommodation and full hospitality during the weekend. Thus, the entry of a police force into the tomb complex on foot before the end of Shabbat will be done by non-Jewish police officers, all in order to allow the public of citizens participating in the Rashbi's celebration to celebrate safely and securely.".
