France is poised to reopen a contested archaeological site in east Jerusalem following successful talks with Israel, Israel Hayom has learned.
The site, known as the Tombs of the Kings, is situated just off the Old City of Jerusalem and is owned by the French government.
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The Consulate General of France in Jerusalem has long refused to let tourists enter the site, citing ongoing renovations and maintenance, until now.
René Troccaz, France's consul general in the city, announced last week that under a new policy the site would be open to the public twice a week. Visitors would have to register in advance online, he said.
The catacomb has been under the administration of France for the past 150 years owing to international agreements dating back to the Ottoman period.
Scholars believe the tombs date back to the Second Temple Period. Queen Helena of Adiabene, a convert to Judaism, is believed to have been buried in a special sarcophagus that was found at the site, which was subsequently put on display at Paris' Louvre museum along with other sarcophagi revealed by excavations there.
The French Jewish community along with religious figures in Israel have long asked to obtain access to the site, where according to Jewish tradition Ben Kalba Sabbua – a famous resident of the city during the Roman period – is believed to have been buried.
French-Israeli member of the French National Assembly Meyer Habib praised the consul general's decision. Habib, who recently met Troccaz, said he was impressed by the diplomat's "positive approach" to this issue.
