Prior to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s decision to order the cancellation of the Lag BaOmer celebrations in Meron next week, he held numerous discussions with defense establishment officials.

Belaaz has obtained exclusive quotes from the situational assessment held with the Prime Minister before the decision was made.

Head of the Home Front Command: “The issue here isn’t Iran, but Lebanon, as the warning time from Lebanon is very short. Even if there were only a few thousand people on the mountain in Meron, if a rocket or UAV is launched, it would be a disaster.”

Minister Ben-Gvir: “Elaborate so everyone here understands.”

Security Official: “It could mean over a hundred dead…”

UTJ MK Porush: “Why are you canceling now? Everyone here agrees that if there’s a ceasefire in Iran, there will be a celebration. Why specifically against the Charedi community?”

Prime Minister: “We are talking about fire from Lebanon, not Iran…”

Minister Ben-Gvir: “It’s the exact opposite, Rabbi Porush. We are ensuring the Charedim aren’t harmed, just as we ensure secular or national-religious people aren’t harmed. I completely understand and it pains me that the event must be canceled, but I am not willing to take any risk, not even for the life of a single person coming to daven in Meron. What rabbi would grant permission when it comes to actual Pikuach Nefesh (saving a life)?”

MK Porush pressed again: “Then why did they open Teddy [Stadium] in Jerusalem?”

Prime Minister: “It’s not the same thing. That is in Jerusalem; in the north, the warning time is completely different.”

Minister Ben-Gvir: “We cannot take a risk and endanger people’s lives.”

Minister Regev: “It’s enough for one missile to hit a single bus. I am also against taking a risk.”

Prime Minister: “The situation is dangerous, the ceasefire is fragile, and we cannot take this risk.”