After years of court battles, the handicapped access project at the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron has begun with the frame of the elevator placed on Wednesday.

 

The handicapped access is intended to help the wheelchair-bound and disabled of all faiths visit the 2,000-year-old holy site. A connecting handicapped ramp is also planned.

 

Member of Knesset Keti Shitrit, the Chair of the Caucus for the Rights of Persons With Disabilities, praised the news.

"This is first and foremost a humanitarian act," she posted on social media. "Make religious freedom accessible and allow worshipers [access]. I pledge to do everything to make all Jews connected to their heritage."

She continued, "I've been involved in this project for over three years, from the day I entered the Knesset. It takes time, but when it finally happens it’s all worth it. I will continue to act to strengthen Jewish identity for weakened populations everywhere."

 

Member of Knesset Shirly Pinto Kadosh stated "I am excited that for the first time, people in wheelchairs will be able to ascend with dignity and independence to an important site that is inseparable  from Judaism." MK Pinto Kadosh is a co-founder of the Israeli Center for Deaf Studies and on several Knesset committees for the rights of disabled people. 

 

The Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs was built 2,000 years ago by King Herod the Great to house the Cave of Machpela, where the Biblical founding fathers and mothers are buried. Between 700,000 to 1 million visitors come to the historic site every year.

 

 

 

 

* Knesset Committee Visits Hebron to Improve Tourism - February 2022

* Wheelchair access to Tomb of Patriarchs gets final approval - October 2020

* Machpela Wheelchair Access Clears Latest Hurdle - July 2020

* Machpela handicapped access to benefit visitors of all faiths - May 2020

* PA issued Ultimatum on Hebron Wheelchair Access - 2019

* Will Tomb of Machpela Finally be Wheelchair Accessible? - 2018

 

News coverage:

* Construction begins on Tomb of the Patriarchs elevator - MSN / Jpost

* Israel accused of violation because of elevator - Israel365

 

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