The Religious Services Ministry has instructed officials to immediately prepare for the complete closure of the Me’aras HaMachpelah within 14 days, after a High Court order freezing budget transfers left the ministry without an approved source of funding to continue operating the holy site.

Religious Services Ministry Director-General Yehuda Avidan issued the directive after Judge Stein temporarily blocked budget transfers that had been approved by the Finance Committee. Avidan warned that without the transfer, the ministry currently has no approved funding source for the continued operation of the Me’aras HaMachpelah and other holy sites.

Under the instructions, preparations must be made to completely close the gates of the Me’aras HaMachpelah and halt entry for all mispallelim, visitors and tourists. Employees at the site are to receive termination notices, while contracts with outside providers — including cleaning, maintenance and transportation services — would be discontinued. All scheduled events, simchos, ceremonies and other activities at the site would also be canceled, with organizers to be notified immediately.

Avidan further ordered urgent coordination with the IDF, Israel Police and Border Police to transfer physical and security responsibility for the structure to them once the civilian security and ushering systems cease functioning. Nonessential systems would be shut down, infrastructure consumption would be disconnected or reduced where necessary to prevent damage, and preparations would be made to preserve the building and equipment during the closure.

Avidan wrote that the Religious Services Ministry is responsible for funding and operating the Me’aras HaMachpelah, but that its operating budget is not included in the state’s base budget and is based almost entirely on coalition funds. Following the High Court freeze, the ministry says there is currently no approved budgetary source.

“The ministry is not withdrawing or shirking its responsibility toward the Me’aras HaMachpelah, which is a heritage site of supreme religious and historical importance,” Avidan wrote. “However, in accordance with the laws of the State of Israel, and as a government ministry obligated to act according to the rules of proper administration, the ministry is not permitted to allow or continue any engagements without actual budgetary coverage.”

In a separate letter, Avidan warned that unless a solution is found by the end of August, operations at the National Center for the Development of Holy Sites, including its various sites, will be halted immediately at the beginning of September.

“We deeply regret reaching this unfortunate situation,” Avidan wrote, “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 responsible authorities.”

The potential closure comes just weeks before the Tishrei Yomim Tovim, when large numbers of mispallelim go to the Me’aras HaMachpelah.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)