JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Leading haredi rabbinic authorities are urging the public to avoid the main access road to the tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes in Tiberias, saying recent changes along the city’s waterfront have created conditions they believe are inconsistent with religious standards of modesty.

The appeal, first reported by Kikar Hashabbat, was issued by Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch and endorsed by members of the Eida Haharedit as well as several rabbis serving in Tiberias.

According to the report, the dispute centers on a newly opened public beach located along the primary route connecting Tiberias’ ancient cemetery with the tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes, one of Israel’s most frequently visited Jewish pilgrimage sites. Rabbinic leaders contend the beach was opened without measures they consider necessary to maintain standards of modesty, resulting in scenes they say are inappropriate for the area’s many religious visitors.

The rabbis said they are asking worshippers to use an alternate road to reach the site, citing the halachic principle that when another route is available, it should be used to avoid exposure to objectionable conditions.

In addition to advising individuals to avoid the road, the rabbis called on Torah institutions, yeshivas and girls’ schools not to rent facilities in the immediate vicinity until the matter is resolved.

The report said local rabbis, led by Rabbi Avraham Halberstam, initially sought to resolve the issue through discussions with municipal officials. After those efforts did not produce a solution, the matter was brought before Sternbuch, who backed a broader public campaign.

The Eida Haharedit later issued a separate statement supporting the initiative, while additional rabbis in Tiberias signed a similar appeal encouraging visitors to avoid the main road and instead use alternate access to the tomb.

The campaign comes as Israel approaches the annual bein hazmanim vacation period, when thousands of yeshiva students and haredi families travel throughout the country and visits to the tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal Hanes traditionally increase.

City officials had not publicly responded to the rabbinic statements as of Sunday.