Non-Jews to secure event
Photo: Hagai Aharon
'Druze' solution to Meron Shabbat crisis
Due to concerns that ritual Lag Ba'Omer celebrations might involve Shabbat desecration by policemen securing event, police decide to send non-Jewish officers to site
Following concerns in the religious sector that security of the Hilula celebrations at Mt Meron scheduled for Saturday night will involve Shabbat desecration by the 900 policemen who will have to arrive at the site before the event takes place, the police have decided to use non-Jewish officers at the event.
Hilula at Mt Meron (Archive photo: AFP)
A group of religious organizations has been contemplating the problem in recent days, in an effort to prevent Shabbat desecration while holding the annual Lag Ba'Omer celebrations at the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.
Police official Shachar Ayalon has assured Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger that security would be provided mostly by Druze or Circassian policemen. The Jewish officers that are set to take part in guarding the event will be brought to the location before the Shabbat and housed in nearby hostels.
However, Ayalon informed Metzger that when Lag Ba'Omer next falls on a Shabbat, the traditional ritual will have to be postponed to Sunday.
