Accessibility Hurdles at the Ancient Complex
The Tomb of the Patriarchs, also known as Machpelah, is situated in Hebron and stands as one of the most sacred locations in Judaism. The monument is venerated as the burial place of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, alongside the matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah. Despite drawing massive crowds, including over one million visitors in 2019, the ancient Herodian structure remained one of the few prominent destinations that lacked accommodations for individuals with physical disabilities.
Entering the complex historically required negotiating significant physical barriers. Arriving visitors had to ascend approximately thirty stairs merely to travel from street level to the building entrance. Once inside the perimeter, another sixty steps stood between visitors and the elevated prayer halls. For wheelchair users, individuals using mobility aids, and elderly pilgrims, these steep stairways made entering the sanctuary extremely challenging or physically impossible.
Archaeological Planning and Design Protections
To eliminate this barrier, Israeli planning authorities initiated a project to construct a dedicated elevator and access pathway connecting the parking area to the Rochelle Berkowitz Plaza and the main shrine. Because the primary Herodian structure represents one of the oldest continuously utilized stone monuments in the world, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) assigned its Archaeological Unit to evaluate every phase of the proposal.
The engineering team developed three alternative blueprints to protect the architectural integrity and aesthetic character of the ancient sanctuary. The finalized design placed the elevator adjoining a newer exterior section of the enclosure rather than cutting into the primary Second Temple–era stonework. Specifically, the additions run adjacent to the southwestern section where the medieval castle structure was erected in the tenth century and later expanded under fourteenth-century Mamluk rule.
Regulatory Review and Overcoming Objections
In 2020, Israel's Ministry of Defense instructed the planning and licensing subcommittee of the Civil Administration to issue the building permit for the accessibility project. Under statutory protocols, the planning bodies observed a mandatory sixty-day period to permit the submission of public objections before breaking ground.
Two formal petitions were lodged against the development. One challenge was submitted by the Arab Settlers Authority–run Hebron Municipality, while a second objection was filed by Emek Shaveh, an Israeli non-governmental organization focused on archaeological matters. The planning authorities reviewed the arguments, presented the architectural alternatives for examination, and formally rejected both objections, allowing the humanitarian construction permit to move forward.
Serving Visitors Across All Backgrounds
Commentators and journalists observing the proceedings, including Sheri Oz, underscored that making the holy site wheelchair-accessible provides immediate benefits to Muslim and Jewish pilgrims alike who seek to worship at the revered shrine.