Israeli Ministry of Religious Services Director General Yehuda Avidan has instructed Cave of the Patriarchs Administration Director Amitai Cohen and Kiryat Arba Religious Council Chairman Ori Tzobari to prepare to close the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron within 14 days due to the absence of a funding source for the site's continued operations.
Avidan wrote in a letter that the ministry, through the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria, is responsible for the funding and ongoing operation of Judaism's second holiest site. He said the ministry had previously warned that the operating budget was not regulated by the state budget and was largely based on coalition funds.
Avidan explained that following an order issued by the Supreme Court suspending budgetary requests approved by the Knesset Finance Committee, there is currently no approved budgetary source for operating the site. He emphasized that the ministry is not shirking its responsibility for the site, but is not authorized to continue contractual engagements without budgetary coverage.
"It is important for me to clarify and emphasize unequivocally that the ministry is not holding back or shirking its responsibility towards the Tomb of the Patriarchs, which is a heritage site with a top religious and historical importance," Avidan wrote. "As long as there is no existing and approved funding source, our hands are tied, and there is no option to create monetary commitments out of thin air."
The directive states that the closure must include the total cessation of entry of visitors, worshippers, and tourists, and the locking of the site's entrance. Additionally, Avidan instructed preparations to lay off employees, halt the work of outside contractors and vendors, and cancel events, celebrations, ceremonies, and activities planned at the site.
The officials were also ordered to coordinate with the IDF, Israel Police, and Border Police to take physical and security responsibility for the structure since civilian security and order services will cease to operate.
Directives were also issued to prepare for reducing the operation of systems and infrastructure, preserving the building and equipment, and publishing notices to the public regarding the closure.
“We deeply regret reaching this unfortunate situation, but as stated, the law requires us to take these steps until a solution is found and the necessary budgetary source is arranged by the authorities responsible for doing so," Avidan concluded in his letter.