Jewish pilgrims and police clash at restricted Mount Meron in Israel

Clashes erupted on Sunday (May 26) between Jewish pilgrims and the police at a religious festival site in northern Israel. The location was closed to large gatherings this year due to rocket attacks from Lebanonfollowing a deadly crowd crush that killed 45 people there three years ago.

The all-night sessions of prayers, mystical songs and dance had in previous years drawn crowds in the tens of thousands.

However, this year’s festival was cancelled since the site at Meron in the Galilee region has been targeted by rocket fire from Lebanon.

It is worth mentioning thatmany northern Israeli towns have been evacuated since Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon began firing at them following Hamas’ Oct7 assault on southern Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza.

Despite the closure, authorities turned away thousands of pilgrims over the weekend. However, hundreds managed to reach the site, leading to a tense situation. Police reported property damage and objects thrown at officers, resulting in injuries to 19 of them.

Israeli media reported that several people in the unauthorised crowd were hurt. At least one officer was suspended for pushing an older man to the ground, and police said it was examining other incidents from the site.

(With inputs from agencies)