Rabbonim Tour Chevron Cemetery Amid Construction Dispute

In an effort to resolve the dispute over construction work in the historic Chabad section of the ancient cemetery in Chevron through peaceful means, a delegation of members of the Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad of Eretz Yisroel conducted an extensive tour of the cemetery together with rabbonim and other officials involved in the matter.

As previously reported by Anash.org, the Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad filed an urgent petition with the Yerushalayim District Court against several government authorities, seeking to immediately halt construction, paving, earthworks, and the placement of caravans and infrastructure in Chelkas Chabad.

The petition maintains that the work is being carried out in the historic Ashkenazi section of the ancient Jewish cemetery, where the graves of prominent figures are located, including Rebbetzin Menucha Rochel, the daughter of the Mitteler Rebbe.

The petition further cites the ruling of Rabbi Yaakov Roz’e that the area contains graves and has the halachic status of a cemetery, making construction and paving there prohibited.

The Beis Din says it repeatedly sought to resolve the matter without legal action, approaching the relevant authorities and engaging in discussions with the various parties. It ultimately asked the court to stop the work, remove the caravans and infrastructure, dismantle the earthen ramp, and restore the area to its original level under appropriate professional and halachic supervision.

“Unfortunately, despite the clear ruling on the matter from Rabbi Roz’e, who is recognized as a leading authority in this field, the understandings were violated and the construction project continued,” a source said. “There was no choice left other than to seek a court order that would stop the trampling of the graves.”

The visit was part of prolonged efforts to reach clear understandings regarding the construction work. According to a source familiar with the discussions, the meeting concluded in a positive atmosphere, with clear agreements and understandings reached by the parties.

The visit included a delegation of members of the Beis Din Rabbonei Chabad, together with Rabbi Yaakov Roz’e, member of the Chief Rabbinate Council and chairman of its Committee for Kevod Hameis; archaeologist Yehoshua Lavie; Rabbi Avraham Yitzchok Schwartz, rav of Kiryat Arba; and Chevron Administration director Eyal Gilman.

Also present was Rabbi Yitzchok Dov Gelbstein, a member of the chevra kadisha and legal representative of the rabbonim in the matter, whose grandfather is buried in the cemetery.