Mount Meron

Reporters Notebook: Israel’s northern border amid peace and war

Despite ongoing tensions, Israel's northern border shows signs of quiet resilience as local communities resume life amid rising security threats.

Northern Israel registers peace amid the ceasefire with Hezbollah.
ULTRA-ORTHODOX JEWS walk through a forest near the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron, northern Israel, attempting to reach the Lag BaOmer celebrations after the site was closed by police following Home Front Command restrictions, May 5, 2026.

Meron rabbi arrested over serious sex-crime allegations

People watch on as bonfires burn for Lag Ba'omer on May 4, 2026.

Over 20 people taken to hospital during Mt. Meron Lag Ba'omer celebration - report

View of the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on Mount Meron, northern Israel, May 1, 2024.

Police disperse hundreds of civilians from Mount Meron attempting to light fires for Lag Ba'omer


Meron: Still no accountability more than a year later - editorial

More than a year after 45 families lost loved ones on Mount Meron, there is still nobody able to stand up and say, “I’m sorry, I was partially to blame.”

 View of candles in memory of the 45 lost lives at last year's Mount Meron disaster, during Lag Baomer celebrations, in Meron on May 18, 2022.

Israel must take the Abraham Accords to the Palestinians - opinion

The Abraham Accords have changed the region, but their full potential has yet to be realized, not just with the Gulf but also with the Palestinians.

 WORKERS HANG large Palestinian and Israeli flags in Ramat Gan, in June.

'He didn't know?' Netanyahu slammed for testimony on Meron disaster

In their remarks, coalition members slammed Netanyahu for refusing to take responsibility for a disaster that claimed the lives of 45 people.

MEMORIALIZING THE 45 victims killed in the Meron stampede, at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square on May 2

Netanyahu on Meron tragedy: I cannot be responsible for what I did not know

After his testimony, the committee will summarize the materials in its possession and publish warning letters to those deemed responsible for the disaster.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits at the scene on Mt. Meron, in northern Israel on April 30, 2021.

Northern District Police Commander and Meron witness Shimon Lavi quits - report

Shortly after the Meron tragedy, Lavi became the first to speak about what had occurred and said that he was willing to take responsibility for the tragedy.

Commander of the Northern District Police Superintendent Shimon Lavi, the first witness of the Meron committee on August 22.

Ex-NSC chief Ben Shabbat: Our oversight of Mt. Meron disaster ‘minimal’

The commission of inquiry is looking into top officials who had a potential wide view of problems leading to the disaster which killed 45 people.

 Former National Security Council head Meir Ben-Shabbat arrives to tesitfy before the Meron Disaster Inquiry Committee, in Jerusalem, on July 10, 2022.

Mount Meron inquiry: Deri shirks responsibility, 'I had no authority'

Former interior minister Arye Deri maintained that he was never aware of or had any authority over the safety of the structures themselves on the site.

 Former Israeli MK Aryeh Deri arrives to tesitfy before the Meron Disaster Inquiry Committee, in Jerusalem, on June 2, 2022.

The last week was one of melancholy - opinion

The passing of a seasoned radio presenter, the war in Ukraine, riots on Meron and a defecting MK all made last week very melancholy.

 Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police during Lag Ba'omer celebrations, in Meron, on May 19, 2022.

Lag Ba'omer: Riots break out at Meron, site closed to further visitors

Women and children at the scene were evacuated by police after extremist Haredim began violently rioting.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police during Lag Ba'omer celebrations, in Meron, on May 19, 2022.

IDF, Shin Bet, Border Police arrest 13 terrorism suspects in the West Bank

Israeli security forces were active in several areas throughout the West Bank, including the villages of al-'Arub, 'Abidia, Rifida, Bidu and the Qalandiya refugee camp. 

 Israeli soldiers secure the scene after a Palestinian assailant attempted to stab Israeli soldiers, near the Hawara checkpoint, outside the West Bank city of Nablus, May 17, 2022.