More than 40,000 people ascended to Meron by 7:00 am (Thursday) and participated in the celebration of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai on the occasion of Lag B'Omer. The thousands ascended the mountain by buses and shuttles, stayed on the mountain for several hours and descended. Extraordinary incidents were recorded in the incident, which is taking place in the shadow of the disaster in Meron, as far as the injured are concerned.
A total of 54 people were treated at MDA clinics in Meron after being slightly injured, feeling bad and dehydrated. Seven participants who felt bad and injured needed further tests and treatment and were evacuated to Ziv Hospital in Safed.
The main event was opened last night by the lighting of the main bonfire by the Rebbe of Boyan. Prior to the lighting, an exciting event was held in which 45 candles were lit in memory of the victims of the disaster. The participants from the mountain According to the new procedure, everyone is allowed to stay on the mountain for only four hours, but some participants did not obey the instructions which caused law enforcement to stop the movement to the mountain.
Celebrating the celebration on Mount Meron, Photo: David Cohen / Ginny
Around midnight, some of the participants lit a pirate fire in the Toldot Aharon compound on the mountain, but it was extinguished within a short time.
This is the same compound where the disaster took place last year, and which was to be used solely as a prayer compound.
A fire and rescue spokesman said that "firefighters from the northern district stationed at the Rashbi revel compound in Meron were called to put out an improvised and illegal fire in the Toldot Aharon compound. Access to a fire truck. "
In memory of the 45 people killed in the disaster last year, Photo: David Cohen / Ginny
Many participants who stayed for hours in the conference areas were outraged at the conditions and overcrowding.
According to many, there was no water and toilets, and the meeting areas were not planned to be a waiting point for long hours.
Throughout the night, complaints were heard about the conduct of law enforcement at the event and that the holiday joy of the participants was impaired due to inadequate planning.
The Rashbi celebration tonight in Meron
Deputy Minister of Religions Matan Kahana, entrusted with the revelry on behalf of the government, noted that "as a lesson from the heavy disaster that occurred in Meron last year we took significant safety coefficients this time to ensure the safety of celebrants. "We had to carry out a regulation process that led to a long wait for some of the celebrants. This incident was handled and everyone who had to wait, arrived in Meron."
The security guards are also celebrating in Meron, Photo: David Cohen / Ginny
The dancing and rejoicing on the mountain continued throughout most of the night, and is expected to resume this morning as well with the arrival of tens of thousands more.
By 7:00, about 40,000 people had arrived, out of about 130 who are estimated to arrive in total.
As of five in the morning, 885 buses had arrived during the festivities.
The Rashbi revelry headquarters said that "the Rashbi revelry continues at this time as a series. During the night, a continuous density was identified in the entrance area to mark the tomb. "Traffic loads are recorded on the way to Meron and the traffic is regulated accordingly."
Thousands in Meron, Photo: David Cohen / Ginny
Deputy Minister of Religions Matan Kahana is holding a situation assessment with law enforcement at 7:00 a.m., ahead of the waves of celebrants that are expected to arrive.
"So far, the festivities have passed in peace. Tens of thousands of people celebrated the Rashbi celebration tonight in Meron," he said this morning. "It is important to note that the event is not over yet.
We continue to work so that the celebration continues as a series and to allow everyone who bought tickets to come to Meron, celebrate and return home in peace. "
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