In an egregious affront to religious freedom, Israeli authorities have been forced to close two significant Jewish shrines due to threats from the terrorist organization Hezbollah. This move has sparked outrage among Jews worldwide, as they are prevented from visiting these sacred sites during the important Lag B’Omer holiday.
The gravesite of the second-century rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on Mount Meron, a site of immense spiritual significance, has been effectively shut down. Typically, this annual pilgrimage attracts over 100,000 worshippers, making it the largest Jewish pilgrimage globally. However, an emergency law passed by the Knesset has now restricted access to just a handful of approved attendees. This draconian measure, driven by the threat of Hezbollah missiles, underscores the perilous situation facing Israel.
The chief of the IDF Home Front Command has declared the Mount Meron area a closed zone amid Lag B'Omer celebrations, starting at 11 p.m. tonight and lasting until noon on Monday, May 27.
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) May 21, 2024
Hezbollah has repeatedly attacked Mount Meron, located about eight kilometers (five miles)… pic.twitter.com/q1zmSdTJah
Mount Meron, located a mere 10 kilometers from the Lebanese border, has been a frequent target of Hezbollah's attacks since October 8. The Iran-backed terror group has launched a near-daily barrage of rockets at northern Israel in support of Hamas in Gaza. On May 15 alone, Hezbollah fired 60 rockets at Meron, causing damage and instilling fear, despite the IDF's interception efforts.
The newly passed law limits the presence at the Meron shrine to a mere 30 people at any given time. Traditional bonfires, a hallmark of the Lag B’Omer celebrations, have been drastically scaled back, with only three permitted and attendance capped at 10 approved guests each. Jewish Heritage Minister Meir Porush, who will decide who can attend, justified the measures by citing the catastrophic risks of a missile strike on large crowds.
Lag B'Omer: Five rockets at least were found on main roads leading to Meron over the past week alone, indicating that Hezbollah may be targeting the site in anticipation of striking the tens of thousands who gather there for Lag B'Omer. the government is considering imposing a… pic.twitter.com/5wWbfJT5sU
— 🎗️Micky Herzl 🇮🇱🇨🇱🇺🇲 🎗️מיקי הרצל (@mickywhiteblue) May 1, 2024
Adding to the community's distress, Tiberias Mayor Yossi Naba’a has ordered the closure of Rabbi Akiva's tomb through Monday. Fearing the site could not handle the expected influx of pilgrims, this decision further restricts the faithful from paying their respects to an iconic Jewish figure who stood up to the Romans to honor his faith, during this significant religious period.
The authorities' actions, while aimed at protecting lives, highlight the broader issue of Jewish worshippers being forced to alter their traditions and practices due to terror threats. The memory of the 2021 tragedy, where 45 people were killed in a crush at Mount Meron, looms large. However, the current situation, driven by Hezbollah's violence, adds an infuriating layer of injustice to the plight of these worshippers.
Israeli Chief Rabbis Tell Pilgrims Not to Visit Mount Meron on Upcoming Holiday Israel’s two chief rabbis instructed worshipers not to travel to a holy site on Mount Meron during the upcoming holiday of Lag B’Omer because of the war. https://t.co/uE8QuqtUQU pic.twitter.com/BevVlekzC7
— The Press Service of Israel, TPS IL (@TPS_News_co_il) May 16, 2024
Since October 8, the relentless attacks by Hezbollah have claimed the lives of 14 IDF soldiers and reservists, along with 10 civilians. The terrorist organization has also faced casualties, with 309 members killed by Israeli counterattacks. These ongoing hostilities have resulted in significant loss of life and disrupted the peace and security of northern Israel.
The closure of these sacred sites underlines a disturbing reality: Jewish worshippers are being denied their religious freedoms due to the persistent threat of terrorism. This situation demands urgent international attention and action to ensure that Jews can safely access their holy sites and practice their faith without fear.
