Hebron's Tomb of the Patriarchs Gets New Roof After Years of Delays

A new roof covering approximately 300 square meters of the interior courtyard of the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron was inaugurated on Wednesday, concluding years of administrative and procedural delays. The newly covered "Jacob's Courtyard" was previously exposed to the elements. The installation was completed before the Rosh Hashanah holiday to ensure better prayer conditions for worshippers throughout the year. The project also includes upgrades to the water drainage system and the installation of air conditioning for visitors.

Initial steps for the roofing project began in the early 2000s. In 2007, the plan was presented alongside the construction of an elevator and accessible pathways as part of an initiative to make the entire site accessible to individuals with reduced mobility. However, the project faced significant delays due to opposition from Muslim officials and lengthy administrative processes concerning the Hebron municipality's jurisdiction.

A building permit was finally issued about a year ago, allowing construction to commence. The project, with an estimated cost of 11 million shekels, was funded and overseen by the Civil Administration. The construction was carried out by the engineering and construction department of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, with input from conservation and archaeology specialists.