Major upgrade begins at Rachel’s Tomb to boost safety and accessibility, says COGAT

The Civil Administration has begun large-scale infrastructure work to improve accessibility and safety at Rachel’s Tomb, one of Israel’s most visited and sensitive holy sites, COGAT announces.

The project, carried out in cooperation with the Transportation Ministry and the National Center for the Development of Holy Sites, follows a comprehensive safety survey that identified significant infrastructure deficiencies around the entrance to the compound, located next to Bethlehem in the West Bank.

According to COGAT, in the first phase, the access road to the site will be fully upgraded, including the construction of a standard traffic roundabout to replace what is described as an “old and hazardous” road layout. Additional work will include building a dedicated bus bay, installing new sewage and communications infrastructure and improving pedestrian access and traffic flow.

A second phase, to begin after the infrastructure work is completed, will focus on improving the overall appearance of the site.

The work comes a month after the anniversary of the biblical matriarch Rachel’s death, a date that traditionally draws large numbers of worshipers to the site.

The Civil Administration says the project is the most extensive development and preservation effort at Rachel’s Tomb in recent years, aimed at improving safety and accessibility while preserving the “sanctity of the site.”

“Rachel’s Tomb is a symbol of heritage, prayer and the deep connection of the Jewish people throughout the generations,” says Shaul Betesh, head of religious affairs at the Civil Administration. “The extensive investment in infrastructure and safety reflects our commitment to preserving the site, making it accessible to worshipers and ensuring the safety of visitors.”