Knesset passes law limiting this year's Lag B'Omer celebrations on Mount Meron

The Knesset passed a law regulating Lag B'Omer celebrations in Meron in the Galilee this year. A pilgrimage to the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai takes place there annually. 

The law, based on a bill defined as a temporary measure due to the rocket and missile attacks by Hezbollah on northern Israel, limits the presence of people at the Meron compound to 30 at any given time.

The law permits three bonfires: one on the mountain at Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's gravesite, with participation capped at ten approved guests, and two more at the nearby Bnei Akiva yeshiva.

All events must be coordinated with the IDF command due to the proximity of the pilgrimage site to the Lebanese border and regular Hezbollah attacks.

The need to regulate Lag B'Omer celebrations on Mount Meron is primarily driven by safety concerns, as 25 people died and dozens were seriously injured in a stampede at the Meron compound in 2021. At least 100,000 pilgrims gathered on Mount Meron that day despite COVID-19 restrictions.