A casualty of war: Israel's breathtaking historical site remains out of reach after October 7
St. George’s Monastery is a microcosm of that overlapping alphabet soup reality where security, tourism, settlements, and land intersect.
The Wadi Kelt/St. George's Monastery, one of the most breathtaking historical sites in the Judean Desert, remains out of reach for visitors following the October 7 incident. Situated near Mitzpe Jericho, the monastery is located in Area C of the West Bank, under Israeli control. Despite its scenic beauty and historical significance, the road leading to the site has been blocked by electronic barriers, codes, and blockages since the terror attack.
The monastery, founded in the 5th century by St. John of Choziba and dedicated to St. George of Choziba, has been a prominent destination for both Jewish and Gentile tourists since Israel took control of the area after the 1967 Six-Day War. Its unique architecture, including churches with religious paintings, icons, and mosaics, and the reputed remains of the original five Syrian hermits, attract visitors who are often left in awe of the site.
However, due to security concerns and the reluctance of the Mitzpe Jericho residents to allow tour buses and unsupervised Palestinian motorists, the once vibrant monastery has become inaccessible to the public, leaving many local tour guides and religious sites professionals dismayed by the situation.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
