Home Command Cancels 7th Adar Event At Rashbi’s Tomb Due To ‘Significant Security Risk’

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In the wake of a recent Hezbollah missile attack on Meron and other surrounding communities, the home command has issued an imperative cancelling the 7th of Adar festivities at the tomb of Rashbi in Meron, and has called on police to implement the cancellation. An estimated 30,000 people were due to arrive on 7th Adar.

Home Command head General Raffi Milo wrote in his order to police to cancel the festivities that:

1. On 7.10.23 the Swords of Iron war began and the Defense Minister in accordance with his authority, declared a “Special situation on the home front” in the entire country. This declaration was extended by the government and the foreign affairs and defense committee until 21.3.24

2. As part of implementing the responsibility for civil defense preparedness in accordance with the Civil Defense laws, the home command employs a police for protecting the civilian population around the country in accordance with regional needs and based on situational updates. In some regions restrictions have been initiated for educational activities, gatherings, services and workplaces. Maintaining these rules is a legal obligation and violating them is a legal offense.

3. These rules are established based on numerous assessments which take into account the level of danger to the civilian population in the event of a rocket attack on the country. The assessments included examining the relevant information including intelligence and operational assessments.

4. In establishing these assessments, I was informed of the planned event on 17-18.03.24 as part of the 7th of Adar Bet festivity at Rashbi’s tomb in Meron, with an estimated 30,000 participants.

5. After assessing the information about the event and its location, including regional history and recent firings in the region, the significant security risk inherent for the civilian population in the place where the event will take place and the lack of proper protection at the site as well as its proximity to the Lebanese border, I found that such an event could cause harm to human life and therefore ordered its cancellation.

‏6. In light of the significant danger I request that police act in accordance with their authority to implement the order and prevent the event from taking place.

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