Hundreds protest 'neglect' at Cave of Patriarchs

After makeshift roof collapses, Jewish worshippers say deficient maintenance goes against national heritage plan. Rabbi: Intolerable conditions lead to desecration

Kobi Nahshoni |Published: 02.02.11 , 15:16

Hundreds of Jewish worshippers gathered at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron on Wednesday to protest the authorities' "neglect" with regards to the site's upkeep.

Torrential rains bought down a makeshift tarp roof at the site a week ago.

During Wednesday's morning prayers, participants held black umbrellas with the slogans "Enough with the humiliation at the Cave of the Patriarchs" and "Stop the disgrace" imprinted on them.

During the service, Kiryat Arba Chief Rabbi Dov Lior called out against the "desecration caused by the intolerable conditions."

According to the worshippers, the collapse of the roof at the site's "Chatzer" hall is indicative of deficient maintenance, which, according to them, goes against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to include the Cave of Patriarchs in his national heritage plan.

Malachi Levinger, head of the Kiryat Arba local council, called on Netanyahu to "personally intervene and see to it that a proper solution is found to consolidate the Jewish nation's most sacred sites, which is a major part of the government's national heritage plan."

The heads of the Jewish settlement in Hebron said the current situation "disgraces the honor and sanctity of the site."