Story perspectives

Netanyahu Caps Lag B’Omer, Police Tighten Border Security

5/5/2026

Summary

Story summary

Police set up border checkpoints, deployed vehicles and used surveillance tools after online calls urged people to arm themselves and attack officers.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu limited the Lag B’Omer pilgrimage to Mount Meron to a format because the Home Front Command capped gatherings at 1,500 people.
Police closed Route 89 and Route 866, blocked access from Safed, Elifelet, Hanania and Hiram, and urged families to observe Lag B’Omer at home or in synagogues.

History

Historical Context

After Ariel Sharon’s September 28 2000 visit to the Temple Mount sparked the Second Intifada, Israel erected more than 1,000 checkpoints and deployed 1,500 soldiers by 2002 to curb attacks. Today Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu applies the same model, limiting the Lag B’Omer pilgrimage to 1,500 participants and sealing routes in northern Israel, echoing the earlier security strategy.

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Story summary

Police set up border checkpoints, deployed vehicles and used surveillance tools after online calls urged people to arm themselves and attack officers.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu limited the Lag B’Omer pilgrimage to Mount Meron to a format because the Home Front Command capped gatherings at 1,500 people.
Police closed Route 89 and Route 866, blocked access from Safed, Elifelet, Hanania and Hiram, and urged families to observe Lag B’Omer at home or in synagogues.

1 / 2