Overview

• Christian crucifixes were installed on a railing leading to the underground Tomb of Haggai and Malachi on the Mount of Olives, a site protected under the 1960 Law for the Protection of Holy Sites.
• The Russian Orthodox Church Abroad erected the railing on a staircase that descends five to seven meters to the burial cave.
• A visitor documented the crosses on Tisha B'Av and Deputy Mayor Arieh King forwarded photos and video to the Ministries of Religious Affairs, Heritage, and Jerusalem Affairs on August 6.
• The 1960 statute imposes penalties of up to seven years imprisonment for desecration and up to five years for blocking access, with enforcement overseen by the Minister of Religious Affairs.
• Though the ministries have confirmed receipt of the evidence, they have yet to announce specific enforcement measures and the site remains accessible to visitors.