Jerusalem’s Tomb of the Kings opens to public for the first time in 10 years

French authorities have opened the Tomb of the Kings to public for the first time in 10 years. The tomb, located in eastern Jerusalem, is said to be the burial site of Queen Helena of Adiabene, who was a Mesopotamian monarch and converted into a Jewish in 1st century BCE.

Latest reports suggest that even though access to the burial chambers is still prohibited, one can visit or enjoy a tour around the tomb’s remarkable courtyard, which dates back to 2000 years.
France has been managing the site since the late 19th century, but closed down in 2009 for restoration purposes, which was further followed by several attempts to open it for the public in recent times. Reports, in fact, suggest that religious Jewish Israelis have been protesting outside the tomb’s gate since 2009, demanding that it should be opened for people who want to pray at the site.

Reportedly, entrance to the site has been currently limited to 60 people on Tuesdays and Thursdays; also, visitors and those who want to pray will have to register with an ID card or passport, and even pre-purchase tickets online.
As per some Orthodox Jews, these rules have been designed to discourage worshipers, as many Orthodox Jews avoid using the internet and even object to paying entry fees to a place of worship.

Reports also suggest that Israel’s Foreign Ministry appreciated this move and hailed it as a product of long and strenuous negotiations with French authorities, but did not elaborate any further.