Israeli Authorities Demolish Illegal Structures at Religious Site in Hatzor HaGlilit

Early Monday morning, the Israeli Land Enforcement Authority conducted a demolition operation at the Tomb of Honi the Circle Maker site in Hatzor HaGlilit, removing illegal buildings. The enforcement action was carried out in coordination with the State Attorney's Office and the Israeli Police's Metpa Unit as part of a broader effort to regulate, improve safety, and develop the site for visitors. The Tomb of Honi the Circle Maker is a religious and historical site attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Over the years, unauthorized structures were erected on the site, alongside safety and infrastructure deficiencies. Following lessons learned from the Mount Meron disaster, the Land Enforcement Authority has prioritized reducing hazards at crowded sites and is taking proactive measures to prevent future accidents. The demolition is part of a comprehensive plan approved for the site's development and preservation, which includes removing buildings that do not comply with the approved plan and pose public safety risks. The enforcement is coordinated with the National Center for the Development of Holy Places to ensure continued safe public access. The Land Enforcement Authority emphasized its commitment to combating illegal construction, especially where public safety is at risk, stating that with hundreds of thousands of annual visitors, ignoring building violations and safety hazards is unacceptable. The authority pledged to continue removing violations, restoring planning order, and upholding the rule of law and public safety.