(IMAGE: Architectural rendering of future handicapped
access.)
access.)
Benny Gantz, who serves as Vice Prime Minister and Defense Minister, cleared
the political hurdles in order to build handicapped access for the Tomb of the
Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron. “It is impossible for an important site for both
Jews and Muslims like the Cave of the Patriarchs to be inaccessible to the disabled and
handicapped,” Gantz stated.
the political hurdles in order to build handicapped access for the Tomb of the
Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron. “It is impossible for an important site for both
Jews and Muslims like the Cave of the Patriarchs to be inaccessible to the disabled and
handicapped,” Gantz stated.
He made the statement during a discussion with the Coordinator of Government
Activities in the Territories, and authorities from the Defense Ministry, the Israel
Defense Forces and the General Security Service.
Activities in the Territories, and authorities from the Defense Ministry, the Israel
Defense Forces and the General Security Service.
The 2,000-year-old structure was built by King Herod the Great to house the Cave of
Machpela, burial site of the Biblical Matriarchs and Patriarchs. There are separate
entrances for Jewish and Muslim worshipers, accessible by steep stone stairs. Currently
wheelchair-bound visitors are carried by hand up the steps, while those on canes or
crutches, take the slow walk up with an attendant.
The project includes the construction of a wheelchair ramp and elevator that would
benefit all residents of the city and visitors. Minister Gantz ordered the completion of
all procedures for carrying out the project, including the conclusion of the legal
proceedings, the discussion of objections, and a summary of the budgetary
sources.
He said he sees the project, held up in bureaucracy for years, as a basic humanitarian
issue that should have been addressed a long time ago.
The Ministry of Tourism will set a budget of NIS 2.5 million for the work. The funds
will be transferred to the Ministry of Defense for the purpose of carrying out the work.
A great deal of planning was taken into consideration to retain the historic nature of
the site. Over 1 million people visited the site in 2019, an all-time record. The Equal
Rights for People with Disabilities Law requires every public structure to be fully
accessible to the disabled.
The Btsalmo organization for disabled rights stated, “we welcome the decision. Minister
Benny Gantz has shown leadership and understood that human rights must be promoted
everywhere and at all times.”
cite="https://developers.facebook.com/hebron.machpela/videos/1653648121368231/" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">אחת ההתמודדויות המתסכלות ביותר במערת המכפלה הינה קרוב ל100 המדרגות המובילות
אליה. עבור אנשים שכוחם במותניהם מדובר בעניין שבשגרה, במטרד סביר לכל היותר. אך כאשר מדובר
בנכה, בקשיש או במוגבל תנועה, העניין כבר נעשה אתגר כמעט בלתי אפשרי. לפעמים זה נגמר בפציעה
של ממש, כמו שקרה במהלך צילום הסירטון של כאן. לאבסורד הזה חייבים לשים סוף. מנגישים את
מערת המכפלה עכשיו. צפו ושתפו.
Posted by חברון – מערת
המכפלה on Monday, March 5, 2018
NOTES:
RELATED ARTICLES:
HEBRON CONTACT INFORMATION
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronfund
United States contact info:
http://www.hebronfund.org
1760 Ocean Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11230
718-677-6886
info@hebronfund.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hebronofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronfund
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jewishcommunityofhebron/
https://www.instagram.com/jewishcommunityofhebron/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hebonisrael
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehebronfund1
Israeli contact info:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hebron.machpela
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronvideo
Israeli contact info:
http://en.hebron.org.il/
02-996-5333
office@hebron.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hebron.machpela
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hebronvideo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebron_machpela/
