Jerusalem, July 26, 2016
A number of key resolutions were adopted at an extraordinary Israeli Cabinet Committee meeting in the Prime Minister’s Office last Sunday (July 24th). The meeting, convened by Minister of Sport and Culture Miri Regev also included Gilad Erdan, the Minister of International Security, David Azoulai, Minister of Religions, Jerusalem’s Mayor Nir Barkat and other officials from various ministries as well as the top police brass in Yerushalayim, Yehoram Halevi. Menachem and Avrohom Lubinsky, the co-chairs of the International Committee for the Preservation of Har Hazeisim flew to Israel to participate in the historic meeting.
The Ministers resolved to introduce a motion to the full cabinet to adopt the security and development of Har Hazeisim as a “national priority” which would in essence obligate all governmentagencies, where appropriate, to allocate resources for Har Hazeisim. Minister Regev said that the security of Har Hazeisim has been a priority for her since she entered the Knesset, and particularly as Chair of the Knesset’s Interior Committee. “As Minister I have devoted resources to bring Har Hazeisim to life and to make it safe for everyone to visit.”
Minister Erdan said that he has devoted a great deal of attention to the security of Har Hazeisim almost from the day he assumed his post. “I immediately toured Har Hazeisim several times and thanks to the efforts of the ICPHH agreed to requests to add forces to secure the holy mountain. As a result there were no reported incidents for the first time in 2016.”
The Lubinsky brothers thanked the Ministers and the Mayor for bringing about a major change to the security of Har Hazeisim. “It is thanks to you that people are for the first time visiting loved ones and that large numbers of people came in recent weeks for the yahrzeits of the Ohr Hachaim (40,000), the Zvhiller Rebbe (20,000) and the Lev Simcha of Ger (20,000).
The government officials also pledged to coordinate efforts including such pending projects at the construction of a wall, sponsoring additional cultural events, the restoration of some 23,000 graves, a new shuttle service from Har Hatzofim to Har Hazeisim, as well as the Mayor’s initiative to build a cable car that will bring thousands of visitors to Har Hazeisim from the city proper. Another major project that is already in the final stages of planning is a magnificent Visitor’s Center and shul.
