This year, in light of the emergency regulations to prevent gatherings and infection with the coronavirus, the celebration at the Rashbi's grave in Meron will be held in a reduced format.
The special measures and assessments of the Israel Police are designed to ensure public health and prevent the possibility of the virus spreading and mass infection.
According to the government's decision, the Rashbi site will remain closed and locked until further notice, and large police forces deployed on the roads leading to the settlement of Meron and in the areas surrounding it will prevent anyone who is not a resident of the settlement from entering the settlement's boundaries until May 17, 2020.
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A small event will be held at the tomb complex (in the Bayan Hasidic lighting area) on Monday evening, during which 3 lightings will take place between 8:00 PM and 2:00 AM.
The lighting area will be closed and entry will not be permitted except for 50 participants who have been pre-approved for each lighting.
We emphasize that entry for authorized persons will only be possible through the Hananya Junction.
Access to the lightings will also not be possible for residents of the settlement of Meron itself, and foot traffic on the routes leading to the tomb complex will be prohibited.
The lightings will be broadcast live on the media to allow the general public to watch them safely from their homes.
Journalists will be allowed entry according to a pre-determined reporter pool, and their details have been entered into the police systems only.
The police are calling on the general public not to attempt to reach the nearby settlements and the tomb complex. Police checkpoints placed on the roads and paths leading to the settlement will prevent unauthorized entry. Border Guard officers equipped with surveillance equipment, drones and off-road vehicles will be deployed in the areas and forests surrounding the settlement to prevent access to the site on foot.
According to the provisions of the emergency regulations, it is prohibited to rent out accommodation units or B&Bs in the town of Meron until 5/17/20. Rentals in nearby towns (Bar Yochai, Or HaGnuz, Safsofeh, Kfar Choshen, Gush Halav, Tzivon, Kaditha, Dalton, Kfar Shamai, Amirim, Shefer, Parod) are prohibited until 5/14/20.
The Israel Police will not allow deviations from the provisions of the TKSAH. The police have been granted special powers by law to remove unauthorized persons, and violators of the guidelines will be issued financial reports (2,000 NIS for the landlord, 1,000 NIS for the tenant, and 500 NIS for those who light bonfires).
We expect the public to obey the instructions, not to go to checkpoints and not to create unnecessary confrontations with the police. Violators of the TAKSAH provisions will be subject to determined and uncompromising enforcement. Unauthorized persons will be removed and their vehicles will be towed.
Below are expected roadblocks on surrounding roads and changes in traffic arrangements starting Monday, May 11 at 0800:
▪️ Highway 89 from the Elifelet Interchange heading west.
▪️ Highway 8900 at the Biriya junction heading south.
▪️ Highway 886, Dalton Junction, heading south.
▪️ Route 89 at Safed Square heading west.
▪️ Highway 89, Hiram Junction, heading east.
▪️ Highway 89, Jish Junction, heading east.
▪️ Highway 89, Ein Zeitim Square, heading west.
▪️ Highway 89, Merom HaGalil Regional Council, heading east.
▪️ Highway 85, Kadrim Square, heading west.
▪️ Highway 85 Hanania Junction (Sheva Junction) heading north.
▪️ Highway 866, Kfar Shamai intersection, heading north.
Entrance to the settlement of Meron will continue to be limited to residents of the settlement only and the tomb complex will remain closed until 17.5.20.
Instructions for residents living near Meron:
▪️Residents living near Meron will be allowed to travel on the specified routes, only by presenting an ID card and a current supplement indicating their place of residence.
▪️ Safed settlement cluster: (Safed, Achbara, Kadita, Alma, Dalton and Biriya) Vehicle entry will only be permitted through the Elifelet Interchange, Rosh Pina Junction, Dalton Junction and Ein Zeitim Square - vehicles will not be permitted to enter from other intersections.
▪️ Cluster of Gush Halav settlements: (Tzevon, Gush Halav, Safsofeh, Or HaGnuz, Bar Yochai and Moshav Meron). Vehicle entry will be allowed through the Tzevon junction and Gush Halav junction to the Bar Yochai junction only - vehicles will not be allowed to enter from other junctions.
▪️ Hanania settlement cluster: (Ein El Asad, Parod, Amirim, Shefer and Kfar Shamai) Vehicle entry will be allowed through the Sheva (Hanania) junction and up to the Kfar Shamai junction only - vehicles will not be allowed to enter from other junctions.
Residents of Meron, upon presentation of an ID card and a current supplement and after prior registration with the "Moshav Meron Agricultural Association", will be able to enter the settlement of Meron with their vehicles only from the Gush Halav intersection (Route 89) and the Tzivon intersection. Vehicles will not be allowed to enter from other intersections.
In light of the changes in traffic arrangements, the driving public is asked to be patient and obey the police officers' instructions and guidelines. Drivers are also required to pay attention to the directional signs and signage on the sides of the road.
For updates and information, you can also contact the Israel Police Information Center at 110.
