Lag BaOmer in Meron: The police are preparing with all the means at their disposal to prevent crowds from arriving at the Rashbi site.
As part of the preparations, the police will set up 16 checkpoints on the roads, of which 8 are tight and 8 are breathable.
No drone photography will be allowed during the lighting ceremony, and media outlets will be required to obtain permission from the police aerial unit.
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The police are also preparing to block pedestrians who will try to arrive on foot from the city of Safed.
The Northern District Police Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Victor Buskila, held a joint briefing for reporters this morning (Sunday) along with the Chief of Operations of the Northern District Police, Lieutenant Colonel Shelli Shaul - and said: "The event will be celebrated in a limited format: 3 lightings, each with 50 people. Very different from the events of previous years, when hundreds of thousands came to Meron each year.".
He said, "In order to enforce the closure of the area, 2,500 police officers will be deployed in the Meron complex, and the police will use all means to prevent people from reaching Meron, including observation helicopters and drones. We are not happy to do this, but it is our job.".
He added: "We call on the entire public not to come to Mount Meron and not to come to the area in general. Regarding helicopters and private planes that want to make flights in the skies of the country, we will allow it. As long as it does not interfere with the police helicopter and is done in coordination with the police, we will not have a problem.".
20 VIPs received permission to enter Meron, not including Knesset members and ministers. The permission for both MKs and VIPs is personal only and does not include drivers or assistants, except for rebbes who cannot drive. The list of VIPs was determined by the Center for Holy Places and the Ministry of Religious Services.
Regarding the rebbes and rabbis, he said: "The names of the rebbes are given, and there are not many of them, and they can come. As for the other important rabbis who want to come and do not have permission, with all their respect and status, we will not allow entry to Meron.".
Buskila emphasized: "There are reports of unauthorized people who want to come - we know the religious fervor. We call on everyone not to come to the checkpoints and not to get into confrontations. We will operate a tow truck system and anyone who parks their vehicle will have their vehicle towed and will issue a fine to those who try to enter the mountain without permission.".
""Anyone who tries to arrive will encounter checkpoints dozens of kilometers before Meron and also on all the roads leading to Meron. I ask anyone who does not have a permit not to arrive and to prevent us from enforcing.".
He explained: "We are not happy to prevent people from celebrating in Meron just as we were not happy to prevent bereaved families from going to cemeteries on Memorial Day.".
Regarding the city of Safed, he said: "Experience shows that people come to Safed to get closer to the Rashbi. Right now, Safed is not hermetically closed, but is closed to groups of people who want to reach Meron via Safed. There is no restriction on movement to the city of Safed, but there is screening of people at the entrance.".
