Forest Fire in Jerusalem’s Valley of the Cross Forces Evacuation of Israel Museum

(Shutterstock) (Shutterstock)

Despite damage to a nearby youth building, firefighting efforts kept the blaze under control, ensuring the safety of the museum’s artifacts.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

A forest fire in Jerusalem’s Valley of the Cross on Sunday forced the evacuation of the nearby Israel Museum as a precaution.

Eight firefighting planes and 23 firefighting crews battled the blaze in 34° weather.

A spokesperson for the museum said the roof of a youth building was damaged, but the fire was “under control” and no archaeological or artistic works were damaged.

Neither the nearby Monastery of the Cross nor the Knesset building were in danger.

The Monastery of the Cross, built in the 11th century, marks the spot where Christians believe the tree used to make the cross on which Jesus was crucified was cut down.

The Israel Museum is Israel’s leading archaeological, Judaica and art museum, and is best known for its display of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest biblical manuscripts in existence.