Israel Cancels Pilgrimage as Home Front Command Issues Warnings

 

Jewish worshippers visit the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (Rashbi) in Meron, northern Israel, ahead of the Jewish holiday of Lag BaOmer, May 1, 2026.

(photo credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)

Israel’s annual Lag Ba’omer pilgrimage at Mount Meron will not take place as originally planned, Israel Police announced on Sunday morning, adding that routes leading to the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai would be blocked starting today, with additional routes closing on Monday.

These routes will be closed until Wednesday, May 6.

The change came just after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed updated restrictions barring outdoor gatherings of more than 200 people and capped indoor gatherings at 600 in affected areas, including Mount Meron and nearby communities in the Merom HaGalil Regional Council.

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