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.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
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

Four testimonies included allegations of sexual harm under spiritual authority, with alleged acts described to victims as part of a “spiritual process,” “rectification,” or “special closeness.”

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
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

Among the injured was a 50-year-old man in moderate condition who had suffered a head injury. The remaining 22 were in light condition, suffering from weakness, fainting, and light bruising.

|ByTZVI JASPER
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

"We clarify that, given the security situation and the Home Front Command's instructions, staying in the mountain area without a permit constitutes a danger to the public," said the police.

|ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN

Lag Ba'omer 2022: Jews celebrate across Israel - in pictures

Here is how Jews across Israel celebrated Lag Ba'omer this year.

MAY 18, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Ultra orthodox Jews celebrate the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'omer, in ultra-orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, in Jerusalem, on May 18, 2022.

Lag Ba'omer: Celebrations resume at Meron, one year after deadly tragedy - watch

One year after the disaster at Meron killed 45 people, police have set up new protocols for this year's celebrations.

MAY 18, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Grand Rabbi of Boyan (Hasidic dynasty) lights 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.

Hassidic sect members arrested for attempting to sabotage Meron celebrations

A group of extremist hassidic sect members was arrested for attempting to sabotage infrastructure on Mount Meron.

MAY 17, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Israel Police forces arrest a member of an extremist hassidic sect on Mount Meron on May 17, 2022

Fmr. interior minister was unaware of unsafe structures on Mount Meron

Although Yishai said that he had tried to make changes and reforms to the situation, the factual record shows that he did not approve any new plan.

MAY 17, 2022ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Arye Deri and Eli Yishai

Police on high alert ahead of Meron Lag Ba’omer celebration

16,000 will be allowed on mountain at a time, only people with tickets to be let in.

MAY 17, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Jews visit at the Rashbi gravesite on the Eve of Rosh Chodesh in Meron, Northern Israel, on March 2, 2022.

Mount Meron, Lag Ba'omer: How to celebrate even after tragedy - opinion

I would humbly suggest that the answer lies deep in how we generally are to approach tragedy and challenge in life.

MAY 16, 2022BySIMCHA SCHOLAR
FUNERAL FOR brothers Yosef David Elhadar and Moshe Mordechai Elhadar (opposite, far right), killed in the Meron tragedy; flames of remembrance for 45 victims; both May 2, 2021.

Lag Ba'omer: How will Israel prevent the next Mount Meron tragedy?

It has been one year since the tragic events on Mount Meron. How have we been dealing with the fallout, and what meaningful changes have been made to prevent a future catastrophe?

MAY 14, 2022ByELIAV BREUER, YONAH JEREMY BOB
FUNERAL FOR brothers Yosef David Elhadar and Moshe Mordechai Elhadar (opposite, far right), killed in the Meron tragedy; flames of remembrance for 45 victims; both May 2, 2021.

Israeli officials want to take responsibility for Meron, but not blame - analysis

All the officials involved in the Meron investigation agree that they are responsible for what happened but denied that they were to blame.

APRIL 12, 2022ByHERB KEINON
Meron investigation committee, August 22.

Police chief shifts blame for Meron disaster to Northern District chief

Police chief Kobi Shabtai blamed politicians and engineers for the disaster in which 45 people died.

APRIL 11, 2022BySHLOMI HELLER/WALLA!
Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai visits at a temporary roadblock on Highway 1 outside Jerusalem

Supreme Court green lights demolishing illegal residences at Mount Meron

The residences were built illegally, without an engineer reviewing their safety and often with materials that are known to be less stable.

APRIL 4, 2022ByYONAH JEREMY BOB
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man prays outside the Tomb of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai on Mt. Meron in northern Israel on May 6, 2020