Mount Meron tragedy

Five years after disaster, Israel limits Lag Ba'omer celebrations on Meron amid security fears

News guidelines were announced on Sunday night that only up to 1,500 people would be permitted to gather in the communities in the vicinity of Mount Meron: Safsofa, Or HaGanuz, Bar Yochai, and Meron.

APRIL 27, 2026|ByMICHAEL STARR

Compound 89 in Meron is seen ahead of next week’s Lag BaOmer celebrations, as police conduct an inspection tour around the tomb complex, April 26, 2026

The real festivities begin when a huge bonfire is lit at midnight on Lag Ba'omer.

Celebrating Lag Ba’omer, a heroic chapter in Jewish history - opinion

During Bar Kochba’s revolt against the Romans, a terrible epidemic struck Rabbi Akiva’s students, and 24,000 men lost their lives. The epidemic suddenly stopped on Lag Ba’omer.

MAY 17, 2025|ByDVORA WAYSMAN

Rabbi Elimelech Biderman with his followers celebrate the jewish holiday of Lag Ba'Omer, in Meron. May 9, 2023

C'mtee decides to limit bonfires at Mt. Meron ahead of annual pilgrimage

Last year, the event was cancelled due to Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah.

MAY 10, 2025|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Israeli soldiers guard the bodies of victims of an attack following a mass infiltration by Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip, in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, in southern Israel, October 10, 2023.

The True conception: We continue to be endangered by our own assumptions

Let's at least be honest with ourselves: the conception is still here. We already know its price. See, we've been warned.

MARCH 12, 2024|ByMOSHE KLUGHAFT

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.

After events like Meron and Abu Akleh’s funeral, more police accountability is needed - editorial

Israel Police actions damaged Israel's image at a time of public relations vulnerability.

MAY 14, 2022ByJPOST EDITORIAL

Family and friends carry the coffin of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed during an Israeli raid in Jenin, during her funeral in Jerusalem, May 13, 2022.

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

I am crying a year later after the Meron tragedy

I am very angry because I know there were human errors that caused the deaths.

MAY 14, 2022ByDAVID GEFFEN

A SIGN warns of construction work at the Meron site for the coming week’s Lag Ba’omer celebrations, in this photo taken last month. Guardians of the site assure us that the new rules and the essential ‘missing’ construction has been completed.

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

Devorah Berliner replaces Miriam Naor heading Meron inquiry

During Lag Ba'Omer last May, 45 people were killed on Mount Meron due to a variety of safety deficiencies.

FEBRUARY 1, 2022ByYONAH JEREMY BOB

Devorah Berliner replaces Miriam Naor heading Meron inquiry.

Miriam Naor: Part Jewish mother, part judicial mensch - opinion

Characteristically diligent, she served even in her final hours, sitting late into the night, as Head of the State Commission investigating the Meron tragedy.

JANUARY 27, 2022ByMICHAL COTLER-WUNSH