Israel’s military has imposed a strict cap on crowd sizes in the Meron area ahead of Lag BaOmer, dealing a major blow to plans for the annual pilgrimage to the kever of Rav Shimon Bar Yochai.

In a statement issued Sunday evening, the IDF spokesperson said that following a situational assessment by the Home Front Command, it was decided to revise defensive guidelines and restrict public gatherings in frontline areas. Under the new rules, no more than 1,500 people will be permitted to gather at one time in the Meron region and nearby communities, including Meron, Bar Yochai, Or HaGanuz, and Safsufa. The directive remains in effect until 8:00 p.m. Monday.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu convened a meeting to discuss the Lag BaOmer event at Meron. According to reports, the prime minister and several ministers opposed holding the celebration in its usual large-scale format, while Minister Meir Porush and his team supported maintaining the traditional arrangements.

Project coordinator Yossi Deitch also backed Porush’s position. However, Netanyahu pushed for a significantly scaled-down event limited to only a few thousand participants. A final decision is expected to be made by the smaller security cabinet.

The IDF’s latest announcement appears to effectively eliminate the remaining possibility of holding the gathering in its customary form, as only 1,500 individuals will be allowed on the mountain at any given time. Authorities are expected to determine how access permits will be distributed.

In a related development, it was reported earlier here on Matzav.com that the central bonfire lighting ceremony led by Rav Meilech Biderman will not take place in Meron this year. Due to the complex security situation in northern Israel and the tight restrictions in and around Meron, organizers have decided to relocate the event to Yerushalayim. The ceremony is expected to be held at the intersection of Yirmiyahu and Shamgar streets, in a large open-air venue.

{Matzav.com}