Renovations completed at Cave of the Patriarchs

Roof renovations at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron were completed Wednesday after several months of work, Israeli officials announced. The project will allow more worshippers to pray at the site during the upcoming High Holidays. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attended a ceremony marking the completion, describing the site as “a symbol of Jewish sovereignty.” The Tomb of the Patriarchs is the burial place of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives, and is a highly visited tourist site. The completion coincides with Smotrich's efforts to cancel the Hebron agreements and withdraw authority from the Hebron municipality.