Israel Police Stop Thousands from Entering Popular Religious Site Closed to Public Over Security Concerns
Israeli police thwarted thousands attempting to access Mount Meron for Lag B'Omer, citing security concerns amid Hezbollah threats.
Jerusalem, 4 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) — In spite of the closure of the region due to ongoing security concerns, Police prevented the attempted entry of thousands of people to the Meron area in the Galilee, and the arrival of hundreds of buses, that traveled there in violation of directives, was thwarted.
In accordance with IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Home Front Command guidelines as the threat of Hezbollah attacks continues, and the government’s decision to close the area to the public, police are deployed on the roads leading to the area of Meron in order to prevent the entry of vehicles and pedestrians, for the Lag B’Omer holiday celebrations Monday night.
Mount Meron in the Galilee is a spiritual center for Hasidic/Kabbalistic Jews who mass there every year on the holiday.
The Israel Police reported that there are publications that “may mislead the public regarding unauthorized public entry to the mountain, and it must be clarified that this involves entry by a minority and in practice, as stated, entry of many thousands was prevented.”
Even now, and throughout the coming days, checkpoints are deployed on traffic routes and roads leading to the area.
Entry will be permitted only to those authorized to do so by law, such as local residents.
