The various organizations involved in the different aspects of receiving the tens of thousands of guests heading to Meron on Lag B’Omer are completing those preparations.

On Wednesday 10 Iyar officials involved in the huge event convened to discuss and evaluate the situation which gets underway officially on motzei Shabbos Parshas Behar, the eve of 21 Iyar. In reality however, visitors will begin moving into place before Shabbos, with tzimmers, hotels, and yeshivos filling for Shabbos Behar with those wishing to be in the area when Shabbos ends. All available lodging in Tzfas, Meron, Tiveria and other northern areas are generally booked solid. Some northern area residents use a Shabbos Lag B’Omer to rent out mattress space in their homes, cashing in on the opportunity.

Veterans of the Lag B’Omer event, some families who have been coming for decades, move into place early next week and began living in their tents as they shift to barbeque mode ahead of the day.

The Wednesday meeting was held in Knesset at the behest of chareidi Members of Knesset. There have been more meetings this year than in past years primarily due to the tragedy, the trampling deaths of participants in the levaya of HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Halevy Wosner ZT”L.

Invited to the meeting were representatives of Israel Police, Magen David Adom, Transportation Ministry, Ichud Hatzalah, Ministry of Religious Services, National Center for the Development of Holy Sites, Tourism Ministry, various bus companies, and Meron local officials.

Police mapped out its program, which this year includes the deployment of Yassam commando forces in and around the tziyun. These special forces will be responsible for instructing mispallalim to remain for a certain amount of time only and to ensure there is no overcrowding and pushing.

The Lag B’Omer operation will keep the various relevant agencies working for a minimum of 72 hours.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)