Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision on Sunday to cancel the mass Lag B’Omer event at Meron and instead hold a symbolic celebration with only 1,500 participants at a time was strongly opposed by UTJ MK Meir Porush and Meron project coordinator Yossi Deitch.
Both of them are expected to resign from their responsibilities in managing the event.
In private conversations obtained by Kikar HaShabbat, Yossi Deitch said that “the decision was a total shock to us. I told the prime minister that there is no logical explanation for why, while no restrictions were imposed on the Druze event with 15,000 people or the Maccabi Haifa game, Meron is treated differently.”
“When the decision was made, there were no restrictions in Meron or in northern Israel, and yet this past Shabbos, over 10,000 came to Meron, and not a single room was empty on the yishuv. There is no justification for restrictions now.”
Deitch added: “You don’t understand what Meron means to the public. In 2024, we saw tens of thousands walking on foot from Tzfas, through orchards and roads, and these were not children, but people in their 80s. You don’t understand the meaning of the place, what Meron is, and what Rebi Shimon means to those people who wait for it all year.”
Netanyahu’s decision was reached after a meeting with senior security and Home Front Command officials and after a meeting of the war cabinet.
Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs announced Netanyahu’s decision, writing: “The background to the decision is concern over a mass-casualty event due to the fragility of the ceasefire with Lebanon, the site’s proximity to the Lebanese border, rocket fire toward the area, and the difficulty of evacuating large numbers of participants in a timely manner.”
A senior official who attended the consultation told Kikar HaShabbat: “This is a matter of life and death. It only takes Hezbollah firing one rocket at Meron, and the siren there could lead to panic and a terrible disaster. Everyone understands that after the horrific Meron tragedy and the heavy price paid, we do not take risks. Public safety comes first, and ונשמרתם מאוד.”
Kol Chai reported that a “capsule” plan is being considered that would allow staggered entry of crowds to Meron on Lag B’Omer over many hours. According to estimates, if 1,500 mispallelim are allowed in each section with hourly turnover, the cumulative number could eventually reach tens of thousands, and potentially approach 100,000 participants over the course of the day.
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
