Masses of Haredi revelers breach Meron despite police efforts to limit crowd due to war

Masses of utlra-Orthodox worshipers have breached the barriers meant to keep crowds away from the Mount Meron complex on the holiday of Lag B’Omer, flouting authorities’ attempts to limit the annual festivities at the site for fear of Hezbollah rocket fire.

Crowds are seen streaming into the complex and gathering around the traditional central bonfire lit outside the tomb, as well as jumping up and down in celebration, while some individuals overturn fences enclosing the area.

Authorities yesterday announced they would drastically scale back the revelry that customarily takes place each year at the northern shrine, revered as the gravesite of second century Jewish sage Shimon Bar Yochai.

Police efforts to secure the site appear to have fallen short. Earlier, police said only a “minority” of those who sought to enter had gotten in.

Around 20,000 visitors were estimated to have arrived at Meron and its surrounding area by yesterday, according to Hebrew outlets.

כצפוי – המחסומים הפנימיים בהילולה במירון נפרצו, ההמונים נוהרים למתחם הציון pic.twitter.com/lO1cYyDPqQ

— דניאל גרובייס Daniel Grovais (@daniel_grovais) May 4, 2026