Israel revokes Hebron municipality planning authority at Cave of the Patriarchs, advances construction project
Israel’s Civil Administration on Thursday revoked the Hebron municipality’s planning authority over the Cave of the Patriarchs compound and approved a construction project there, after years of refusal by the local authorities and the Muslim Waqf to cooperate.
Officials said the move was purely administrative and does not change the status quo or prayer arrangements at the sensitive holy site. The decision allows Israel to advance the project unilaterally, following repeated failed attempts to reach agreement with Palestinian bodies.
The plan revives long-standing proposals from the Jewish community in Hebron to improve infrastructure and accessibility at the site, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, but has repeatedly sparked Palestinian and Jordanian Waqf opposition over fears of altering the character of the Ibrahimi Mosque compound.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
