A daring theft has occurred at the traditional site of the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron.
The Cave of Machpelah, which is venerated both by Moslems and Jews as the tomb of the three Patriarchs, has been robbed of a number of historic valuables including fifteen rare carpets, which ornamented the tombs of Abraham and Isaac, as well as valuable scriptures. The grave-stone marking the burial place of Abraham has also disappeared.
The Cave of Machpelah, known in Hebrew as Meorath Hamachpeilah, is referred to in the Bible as the burial place of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as well as of Rebecca and Leah. The site is covered by a mosque and it is only rarely that Jews have been allowed access to the tombs.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
