After years of political obstacles, the handicapped access project
for the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron has received final
approval. Israel’s Ministry of Defense issued a directive to the subcommittee for
planning and licensing in the Civil Administration to approve the building
permit.
for the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron has received final
approval. Israel’s Ministry of Defense issued a directive to the subcommittee for
planning and licensing in the Civil Administration to approve the building
permit.
The latest hurdle was a protocol that requires 60 days be given for objections to be
raised by the public. Two objections were filed, one by the Hebron Municipality which
runs the Palestinian Authority side of the city, and the other by Emek Shaveh, a
foreign-funded Israeli NGO which specializes in opposing archeological excavations. Both
objections were formally rejected last week paving the way for the
project.
The Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs is the colossal 2,000-year-old Herodian
complex built to memorialize the Cave of Machpela. According to tradition, the Biblical
founding fathers and mothers of monotheism are buried underneath. In 2019, the site
received a record number of over 1 million tourists, a number that steadily grew over
the past decade due to increased public interest.
The steep steps made it difficult if not impossible for disabled and wheelchair-bound
visitors to access the site.
COGAT โ the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, the Defense
Ministry body that overseas civilian issues in Judea and Samaria, had their
Archaeological Unit closely study all stages of design and produced three alternative
blueprints. The plans were presented to those who filed objections for
review. Emek Shaveh has previously opposed the opening of the Tel Hevron
Archaeological Park where ancient mikvot and Jewish wine presses were
discovered.
The Patriarch’s Tomb is thought to be the oldest still-standing building still in use
for the purpose it was erected. Therefore, great sensitivity was taken into
consideration to retain the architectural integrity and aesthetics of the structure.
Built by King Herod the Great as a memorial for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca
and Leah, it closely resembles the Western Wall in Jerusalem, part of one of the
king’s other great structures, the Holy Temple. Elevator access to the Western Wall
(Kotel) plaza area has been in the completion stages this year.
Architectural renderings of the proposals show an elevator alongside the
“newer” section of the complex, built well after the original Second Temple
Era structure. In the 10th century, a building known as the qal’ah (also spelled
kalah, i.e. castle) was constructed near the middle of the southwestern side. In the
late 14th century, under the Mamluks, two additional entrances were pierced into
the western end of the south western side and the kalah was extended upwards
to the level of the rest of the enclosure. The original Cave of Machpela, dates back to
the days of Abraham, when he purchased it for 400 shekels of silver as a burial site for
his beloved wife Sarah.
“newer” section of the complex, built well after the original Second Temple
Era structure. In the 10th century, a building known as the qal’ah (also spelled
kalah, i.e. castle) was constructed near the middle of the southwestern side. In the
late 14th century, under the Mamluks, two additional entrances were pierced into
the western end of the south western side and the kalah was extended upwards
to the level of the rest of the enclosure. The original Cave of Machpela, dates back to
the days of Abraham, when he purchased it for 400 shekels of silver as a burial site for
his beloved wife Sarah.
Journalist Sheri Oz, noted in a recent article that an elevator and wheelchair ramp
would benefit Muslims, Jews and people of all faiths making a pilgrimage to the historic
site.
She reported that at one of the planning meetings, Samer Shehadeh, the lawyer
representing the PA’s Hebron Municipality commented a number of times about the
importance of the project and asked for documents detailing the specific design plans of
the three alternatives considered.
An access path allowing people with disabilities to reach the Rochelle Berkowitz Plaza
area in front of the Machpela complex from the parking lot is also
planned.
NOTES:
HEBRON CONTACT INFORMATION
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
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Israeli contact info:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
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United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
* Facebook * YouTube * Instagram * TikTok * Twitter *Reddit
Israeli contact info:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
* Facebook * YouTube * Instagram
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