The government unanimously approved on Sunday the heritage site project proposed earlier this month by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. The project will seen dozens of sites around the state refurbished, with the government conducting unique campaigns to encourage tourists and Israelis to visit them. The sites include places well in modern Israeli history, as well as customary Biblical sites. Before the vote, Netanyahu announced that the Machpelah Cave and the Tomb of Rachel would be included in the list.

Speaking after the meeting, Netanyahu stated that "at a time when globalization is growing and bringing about greater shallowness, we are creating ways for parents to bring their children closer to them, to their nation, land, heritage, Judaism, and Zionism. Along with our desire to stay open to the rest of the world, we must encourage our ties to our land and country. This is what defines us. There is a national duty involved here, and we have the tools to do this," Netanyahu said