Scene from Meron, Lag Ba'Omer
Scene from Meron, Lag Ba'OmerIsrael news photo: Flash 90

Thousands of people who traveled to Meron to pray at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on the Lag B’Omer holiday found themselves unable to leave on Sunday morning due to what they are terming an “organization breakdown” on the side of police officers in the area.

A worshiper at the scene told Arutz Sheva that thousands of people were blocking the access road to Meron in protest, and were not allowing buses bringing new visitors to reach the parking lot.

Video courtesy of B'Hedrei Hareidim.

Traffic police confirmed that they are working to free traffic blockages at the exit from Meron, and that new arrivals will be allowed only after exits resume.

The heavy traffic is a result of the high number of visitors. Police estimate the number of people at Meron on Saturday night at 200,000.

Police have requested that those currently in Meron avoid the parking lots temporarily in order to allow buses in the lots to leave and new arrivals to enter.