This week in Jerusalem

The project, which was brought to the city during former mayor Nir Barkat’s tenure, has with the active support of the Jerusalem Development Authority.

By PEGGY CIDOR
Inside the Old City's Jewish Quarter. (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Inside the Old City's Jewish Quarter.
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Not here
More than a year of struggle and protests ended in painful failure for environmental activists and many Ein Kerem residents. The district sub-committee for planning and construction has approved construction of a complex for IDF preparatory classes and a large military bunker built on the slopes of Kiryat Menahem reaching the outskirts of Ein Kerem.
The project, which was brought to the city during former mayor Nir Barkat’s tenure, has with the active support of the Jerusalem Development Authority. Residents of Ein Kerem and environmental activists advocated locating the institution in French Hill, in order not to harm the picturesque village and its tourist-friendly landscapes, but their opposition was rejected during Monday morning’s committee session.
Me first
Under a haredi president for the first time, the local planning and construction committee has approved renovation of two residential buildings in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. The implementation of the project will require the evacuation of four Palestinian families living in these two buildings as protected tenants. The two buildings were acquired several years ago by Jewish investors, but the proposed renovations were held up until now due to political sensitivities. The buildings are located near the tomb of Shimon HaTzaddik and the project is part of a larger plan to renovate the neighborhood, which was a Jewish neighborhood until it was occupied by the Jordanians in 1948.
Facelift for the Rova
The Old City’s Jewish Quarter (the Rova) will be renovated for the first time since after the Six Day War. The ancient Hurva synagogue has already been reconstructed (a few years ago) and the remodeling of the Tiferet Yisrael synagogue began a few weeks ago. The “Beautiful City” project will include revamping of several areas in the Old City. The Burnt House – a remnant of the destruction of the city by the Roman Emperor Titus in 79-81 CE – will be redone, as well as various parts of the Cardo. An elevator will be installed in order to make the Western Wall accessible for disabled visitors from inside the Rova.
At a ceremony on Sunday, Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ze’ev Elkin and Mayor Moshe Lion pledged to work together to improve aesthetic conditions of the city. The budget for the project stands at NIS 200 million. The first stage will focus on the most popular tourist sites in the Jewish Quarter, such as the Rusnak Square, which was completely renovated at a cost of NIS 2.5 million.