Chabad Rabbis Seek Court Order to Halt Construction at Ancient Hebron Cemetery

Chabad rabbis have filed an urgent petition with the Jerusalem District Court demanding an immediate injunction to stop construction and infrastructure work at the ancient Jewish cemetery in Hebron. They claim the ongoing earthworks, road paving, and placement of caravans on the site are being carried out without the necessary permits and risk damaging historic graves. The petition, submitted by the Chabad Rabbinical Court acting as an administrative court, highlights that the cemetery has served the Ashkenazi community in Hebron for about 170 years and contains graves of prominent Jewish figures, including Rachel Saloni, daughter of the Middle Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shimon Menashe Haikin, and Rabbi Hillel Moshe Galvestein.

The petition cites professional and halachic opinions, including that of Rabbi Yaakov Roza, chairman of the Chief Rabbinate's Committee for Honoring the Dead, as well as archaeological assessments warning of serious risks to graves and burial caves in the area. Despite repeated requests to authorities to halt the work and restore the site, construction has continued. The petitioners ask the court to order the immediate cessation of all work, removal of caravans, infrastructure, and the access road, and to establish a supervision mechanism to prevent further harm to the cemetery.