Meron

Lag Ba'omer: Mount Meron capacity expanded to 50,000

United Hatzalah announces completion of preparations for Lag BaOmer festivities in Meron, as police expand site's capacity to 50,000.

Government Ministry:

Convicted cult leader Eliezer Berland won't light Meron bonfire

Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Ministry pledges that disgraced ex-convict cult leader Eliezer Berland won't be honored at Lag BaOmer event.

Itamar Ben-Gvir: 'Last year I saw suffering in Meron'

Police commend efforts to prepare for Lag Ba'omer in Meron, say staff took 'full responsibility' for the event.

Policeman who hit Meron visitor to stand trial

Department for investigating police officers announces decision to try policeman who hit haredi man last Lag Ba'omer.

Haredi MK:

'Large number of people will be able to come to Meron'

MK Meir Porush discusses Lag Ba'omer celebrations, Draft Law. 'When Gantz was DM he agreed to things Lapid opposed.'

Lag b'Omer in Meron:

New hotline open to public in advance of festivities

Outline for this year complete in accordance with commission of inquiry's recommendations.

One year later:

Missing teen's mother visits search area

This past Sunday, Giti Kleinerman visited the place where her son Avraham Moshe vanished.

Lag B'omer celebrations transferred to Ministry of Jerusalem

A ministerial meeting saw the responsibilities for the annual celebration in Meron formally moved to the Ministry of Jerusalem.

Bones found in cave in Meron sent for DNA analysis

Remains recovered from cave in northern Israel sent to Abu Kabir forensics lab for testing.

Three mysterious disappearances, one major search effort

The search continues for three Israelis who vanished in the Meron region.

Holocaust survivor who helped found Meron dies

'Hidden righteous' man Rabbi Yaakov Tanenbaum, who helped found the town of Meron, dies at 100.

Special needs camp blesses searchers for missing teen

A special needs camp blessed the Israel Dog Unit that they should find missing teen Moishe Kleinerman - and soon.

Fathers of two missing people join forces in Meron search

One's son disappeared years ago, the other's months ago. Today, both met in Meron to search for their children.

110 days later, missing teen nowhere to be found

Avraham Moshe Klinerman has been missing for 110 days. Police Commissioner: 'We will not let this case go.'

Meron: We fulfilled 'avoid evil' but failed at 'do good'

Director of 2022 Meron Lag B'Omer celebration testifies about first such celebration since 2021 disaster in which 45 were killed.

Netanyahu summoned to testify before Meron commission of inquiry

Former PM to testify before commission of inquiry into Israel's worst civilian disaster on July 20.

Hundreds of extremists destroy safety infrastructure at Meron

Police rescue women and children from Rashbi Tomb after extremists break into site, destroy partitions and fences and endanger lives.

Watch: Thousands at Lag Ba'omer celebrations in Meron

Celebrations held under shadow of last year's tragedy in which 45 people were killed.

United Hatzalah gearing up for Meron pilgrimage

United Hatzalah completes preparations for providing medical security to the pilgrims of Meron.

Chief Rabbi: Obey instructions at Meron

Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau says following last year's deadly disaster, visitors to Meron should obey all security instructions.

'Tickets for Lag Ba'omer event are nearly sold out'

'Not everyone who wants to will be able to come,' Lag Ba'omer project manager Zvika Tesler says.

Police official on Lag Ba'omer: 'We're stretched to the limit'

'We'll know about every bus that leaves & comes, we'll prevent those who shouldn't be there from reaching Mt. Meron,' police official says.

In Meron, hope for things to turn out differently this year

Less than two months to Lag Ba'omer: Mount Meron looks completely different; the structures were demolished & the area has been cleared out.

Buildings at gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai demolished

Following court ruling, State demolishes illegal buildings at site of mass casualty stampede.

In Meron, gravesite of Rashbi to close ahead of large event

Gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai closes to visitors ahead of anniversary of Moses' passing. Prayer will be allowed nearby

In the shadow of tragedy:

New plan for Lag Ba'omer in Meron unveiled

Number of visitors limited to 20,000 instead of a half-million, private vehicles will be barred from site.

Israel Dog Unit joins search for helicopter remains

The Israel Dog Unit set out to Israel's north for a long day of helping Israel's emergency services and preparing for the next incident.

Committee: Meron gravesite won't close to visitors

Eli Friend, who runs gravesite of Rashbi in Meron, informs Religious Affairs Ministry of decision to suspend site's closure.

Gravesite of Rashbi in Meron to close to visitors?

In Meron, Rashbi's gravesite is uninsured & may close. 'Absurd situation, caused by disaster on day the State ran the site,' manager says.

Meron disaster commission submits interim recommendations

PM, Religious Affairs Affairs, and Public Security Ministers vow to make changes after 45 killed in Meron on Lag B'Omer.

Thousands of visitors arrive each day - and are uninsured

Insurance companies refuse to offer coverage to gravesite of 'Rashbi' in Meron, leaving thousands without coverage in case of injury.

Meron disaster: 'Leave just one bonfire lighting on Mt. Meron'

Committee for investigation of Meron disaster meets for third day of testimony hearings.

Meron disaster inquiry gets underway

State Commission of Inquiry to begin hearing evidence, calling witnesses in Israel's worst ever civilian disaster.

Cabinet approves commission of inquiry into Meron disaster

Cabinet approves proposal put forward by Gantz and Liberman to launch a formal commission of inquiry into the Mount Meron disaster.

Meron: Rashbi's grave to close to visitors

Gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai temporarily closes to visitors following Fire and Rescue Service's refusal to approve event.

A transfer was made to the families after the Meron tragedy

Over a million dollars have already been donated to families by Kupat Ha'ir

Pope Francis mourns Meron victims

Pope Francis expresses his “closeness” to the people of Israel in the wake of the deadly Lag b’Omer catastrophe at Mount Meron.

MK Gafni: Why didn't the government act before it was too late?

"There was no way so many people could converge on such a small place without a tragedy occurring."

Flags lowered to half-mast on day of mourning

Knesset, President's Residence lower flags to half-mast in mourning for 45 who perished at Meron.

Female soldiers attacked while helping Meron victims

Soldiers continue to evacuate wounded despite verbal, physical abuse at site where 45 died on Mt. Meron.

Haredi journalist warned of danger - and is beating his chest

Aryeh Ehrlich tweeted in 2018 about the dangerous bottleneck in Meron - and now blames himself for not doing more to prevent tragedy.

Meron: Condolences from around the world

The world's embassies send their thoughts and prayers to the people injured in Meron.

Meron tragedy aftermath: Coping with trauma

When, G-d forbid,disaster strikes, in addition to prayer, mourning and shock, there are coping strategies. Op-ed.

44 people killed in huge crowd crush in Meron

At least 44 killed, dozens more injured in mass crowd crush during Lag Ba'Omer celebrations in Meron.

Police spokesperson: Incident is under investigation

Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai arrives at Meron following mass stampede, police launch investigation.

'One of Israel's worst disasters. People were crushed to death'

Dov Maisel, Director of Operations at United Hatzalah, on Meron tragedy: One of Israel’s worst disasters, I have no words.

Documentation of disaster in Meron

Watch: Moment of tragedy during Lag Ba'Omer celebrations in Meron.

'We all pray for the healing of the victims'

Israeli leaders respond to the tragedy during Lag Ba’Omer celebrations in Meron, in which 50 people were injured.

Watch: Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu at Meron gathering

Tzfat Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu speaks at mass gathering in Meron for Lag Ba'Omer.

Arabs and Jews celebrate Lag Ba'Omer, Ramadan together in Dubai

Arabs from the United Arab Emirates and Israeli Jews celebrated Ramadan and Lag Ba'Omer together at a special ceremony in Dubai

Watch Live:

Hundreds of thousands at Meron for Lag Ba'omer

Clashes between visitors to Meron and security forces ahead of mass Lag Ba'omer celebrations; two are arrested.

Participate in the Hillullah of the Rashbi

And anyone who was there . . . his soul and his entire being were enthralled in the experience and yearn to once again see this great sight.

Chief rabbi urges: Come to Meron early, leave for home early

Rabbi David Lau, Chief Rabbi of Israel, calls on public to leave Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's gravesite early on Friday.

Rabbis: 'Traveling to Meron? Not on Friday'

Rabbinic council calls on Lag Ba'omer pilgrims to arrive in Meron Thursday evening, leave early Friday morning, to avoid Shabbat descration.

Ahead of Lag Ba'omer, PM Netanyahu meets haredi MKs

Police have not yet been issued updates on restrictions on gatherings in Meron over Lag Ba'omer, UTJ MKs say.

United Hatzalah completes emergency preparations for Lag Ba'omer

United Hatzalah completes preparations for safeguarding Lag Ba'omer event at Meron.

Inspectors attacked at Har Meron nature reserve

Officials posting court orders on illegal structures built on nature reserve attacked, pelted with stones.

Hundreds of extremists break into Meron after Lag B'Omer

Extremists wait for police presence at Rashbi's tomb to begin to be reduced to break into holy site at end of Lag B'Omer.

Free Prayers in Meron through Yad L'Achim on Lag B'Omer

Have your names submitted for tefillah in Meron on the holy day of Lag B’Omer.

Religious Services Minister calls Meron policing 'excessive'

Minister Vaknin tells Arutz Sheva of grief and pain due to diminished Rashbi hilula celebration, criticizing police handling of incident.