Crosses at Kivrei Nevi’im on Har Hazeisim Covered After Public Outcry

Visitors to the kevarim of Chaggai, Zechariah, and Malachi on Har Hazeisim are reporting to the Jews United Foundation that the Christian crosses illegally installed at the site have now been covered with black garbage-bag material.

The move comes after media coverage and a strong public outcry over the installations, as reported by Belaaz earlier this week, which were placed by the Christian authorities overseeing the location.

The Jews United Foundation had earlier accused the Russian Orthodox Church of violating Israeli law by restricting access to the kevarim, known in English as the Tomb of the Prophets, and by placing Christian symbols at the entrance. The group’s leaders noted that the site is a holy place for the Jewish people and that such alterations are prohibited under laws protecting sacred sites.

Photographs taken before the controversy showed the crosses prominently displayed along the stairwell railings leading to the kevarim. In recent days, however, the crosses have been visibly concealed beneath plastic sheeting, a change multiple visitors say occurred only after the public and media attention.

The site is owned by the Russian Orthodox Church.

Visiting times were also restricted and are available on Sundays by appointment only, which JU says contravenes Israeli law. The organization sent letters earlier this week to Religious Affairs Minister Michael Malchieli of Shas, urging him to take action.

JU says the change is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done.

“Thanks to the visit by Reclaim Our Heritage and Jews United yesterday as well as the media pressure, it seems that they’ve started to cover up the crosses on the handrails leading down to the cave,” Fayga Marks, Project Director for Jews United told Belaaz.

“It’s a step in the right direction but we still see the priest hovering over visitors and being very watchful at the entry gate. We encourage our fellow jews to vist the site and reclaim their heritage.”