Government ministers confirmed this evening (Wednesday) that lighting bonfires on Lag BaOmer will be prohibited - including lighting bonfires in homes and private areas.
The Ministry of Justice included an exception for private homes and buildings in the wording of the campfire ban, claiming that this is private property. Minister Bezalel Smotrich supported this and said that it is legitimate to light a "comzitz" in a private home, but Minister Gilad Erdan said that this is a valid argument on a regular day, but not on Lag BaOmer - when tens of thousands of campfires can take place in this loophole, which would make enforcement and the operation of the fire services difficult.
According to a report in 'Kan News', during the conversation, the fire commissioner came up and claimed: "It would be a catastrophe if we restricted bonfires throughout the country, but allowed lighting in the yards of houses and buildings - where fire engines would have difficulty reaching.".
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The ministers were convinced and ultimately the restriction was approved for private areas as well.
According to the regulations, between May 7 and 13, lighting and staying near bonfires will be prohibited throughout the country. Starting tomorrow, staying on Mount Meron will be prohibited, renting out B&Bs and accommodation units will be prohibited during this period, and fines will be issued for violating the guidelines.
Among the bonfires that will receive approval will be bonfires with limited participants at the Rashbi's tomb on Mount Meron. According to the regulations, special permission for lightings will be granted "in the circumstances of the case" while paying attention to matters of appropriate representation and "various communities that have a tradition of lighting bonfires in the area of the Rashbi's tomb.".
The Minister of Religious Affairs may allow participation in one of the three lightings at different times on Mount Meron. The number of participants in each lighting will not exceed 50 people.
During the discussion, Minister Tzipi Hotovely demanded that there be a bonfire for Jews from the Diaspora on Mount Meron.
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman was furious: "Why is there suddenly a bonfire for Jews from the Diaspora? There are three bonfires for all sects. How is this related?".
Hotovely's demand was not accepted.
A joint statement from the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Health reads:
The government has approved a series of amendments to the Emergency Regulations (Restrictions on Activity), including restrictions to prevent gatherings and infection around Lag BaOmer events. Lighting and staying near bonfires will be prohibited throughout the country, with the exception of bonfires that will be held on Mount Meron under special instructions.
The regulations state that during the period from Thursday, May 7, 2020, to Wednesday, May 13, 2020, the lighting of bonfires will be prohibited throughout the country. In addition, during this period, staying in the Mount Meron area will be prohibited, with the exception of people who live there or are required to go there as part of their work.
In addition, the rental of B&Bs and guest rooms in the Mount Meron area will be prohibited during this period, to anyone who does not reside there. In addition, it was determined that from Thursday, May 14, 2020, to Sunday, May 17, 2020, at 6:00 AM, entry and stay in the restricted area of the Rashbi's Tomb and the Meron settlement will also be prohibited, as will the rental of B&Bs and guest rooms in this area, to people who do not reside there.
In place of the Lag BaOmer events that are customary each year at the Rashbi's tomb complex on Mount Meron, the Minister of Religious Services will allow three bonfires in the Rashbi's tomb area, which will be held according to a special permit, separately and on different dates. The number of participants in each lighting event will not exceed 50 people. The Minister of Religious Services will provide equal representation to different communities, including appropriate representation for women.
The approved regulations also state that during this period, no public transportation will be operated to the Mount Meron area, except for transporting local residents and participants in the permitted bonfire lighting events.
According to the regulations, any violation of any of the aforementioned obligations (staying in the prohibited area, except for those who have been granted permission, renting a B&B or guest room during this period to someone who does not live there, operating public transportation to the Mount Meron area during the aforementioned period, and lighting or participating in a bonfire throughout the country during the prohibited period) will constitute an offense punishable by a fine.
