Police Announce Arrangements For Lag B’Omer In Meron

Police are completing preparations for Lag B’Omer in Meron, mapping out the major operation, which involves many other emergency organization, including but not limited to: border police, Magen David Adom, Israel Fire Service, United Hatzalah, ZAKA, Ezer Mizion and Ohr HaRashbi.

Literally thousand of police will be involved in the assignment, including air and marine units. Despite the best laid plans, the reality is, the roads leading to and from Meron are simply not designed for the number of vehicles wishing to access the holy site, the tziyun of the Rashbi. However, chareidi MKs in particular are demanding police and other agencies do more to avoid the difficult situations that occur annually, the lack of buses, traffic backing up literally for kilometers and buses that never show.

The implementation of this year’s operation will be implemented in three phases.

Phase 1, which began on April 22nd, involves the placement of police near the tziyun to maintain order in the immediate area as persons begin making their way to Meron in the coming days/weeks.

Phase 2, the main phase of the operation, begins on Wednesday, erev Lag B’Omer, May 2nd, at 7:00AM. It ends on Thursday at midnight. At this point, 5,000 policepersons will be deployed along all routes leading to Meron. The police presence in Meron and the adjoining areas will also be increased.

Phase 3, which begins with the end of the operation, involves police in the Kinneret district will begin returning the area to regular operations. As with every year, the main light of bonfires is scheduled in advanced. The events begin with the official lighting by the Boyaner Rebbe Shlita, on Wednesday evening at 8:30PM, and it will end with the lighting of the last bonfire by the Toldos Aharon Rebbe Shlita on Thursday, at 7:00PM.

Roads leading to Meron will be closed to private vehicles days ahead of Lag B’Omer and persons wishing up-to-date reports are urged to phone the police 110 traffic information number. One should only dial 100 in case of a true emergency.

There will also be an information hotline number which will activate on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 3:00PM, and it will continue until May 3rd, at 11:00PM. That number is 1-700-500-679.

Other relevant numbers are:

· ZAKA 1220 (for lost children)

· MDA 101 (medical emergencies)

· United Hatzalah 1221 (medical emergencies)