Bible Hill plan
The municipality and the Local Planning and Building Committee are advancing a plan to build a hotel and commercial center in the northern part of Bible Hill (Givat Hatanach) – opposite the First Station, next to the Scottish church, not far from the Khan Theater. According to the plan, a six-story hotel and a commercial center will be built on the site, carved in the rock.
Safra Square maintains that this is a privately owned lot intended for public buildings, thus it cannot prevent the project, though the Local Planning and Building Committee originally approved the project. The plan was subject to objections a few weeks ago, and it seems that many more are expected.
The most significant objection is from the Council for the Conservation of Israel Heritage Sites, which states that “changing zoning from public to commerce and tourism is simply the promotion of private interest at the expense of the public interest.”
The area of the plan is about two hectares, which were sold by the Greek Orthodox Church in 2011. In its objection file, the council points to the importance of the site and its surroundings. As an example of the historical importance, it cites the presence of Qasr al Asfur (the Eyal Fortress), which was used for 50 years during British rule from 1918 and several decades after the establishment of the state as British Consulate offices.
Raining on our party
Under the title Lighting Together a Great Light, an event for women working in the municipality and wives of reserve soldiers is to be held during Hanukkah, on December 10; it will be dedicated to IDF soldiers and the abductees in Gaza.
Deputy Mayor Yossi Havilio, who received an invitation to the event along with all the municipal employees, is angry that the event is only for female staffers.
In a letter to Mayor Moshe Lion, municipality Director-General Itzik Larry, and workers’ committee chairman Eyal Levy, he wrote: “I believe it is neither appropriate nor legal for the municipality or the workers’ organization to organize a gender-segregated event. I would like to emphasize that I am in favor of female empowerment, and usually fight segregated events for men, but this must be applied equally to both genders, since holding an event separately for women will give a green light for a separate event for men.”
Havilio admitted that he planned event is not a distinctly religious event, but added that upon finding out the event is tailored to a religious/Orthodox audience, he sees it as a serious gender equality violation.
He stressed that he is, of course, in favor of praying for the peace of the soldiers and the release of the abductees, but not at a haredi-flavored event with gender segregation, funded by the municipality and/or the municipal employees.
“Since I do not want to negatively affect municipal employees, I do not ask to cancel the event but request that it be changed to include content intended for a general audience and ensure that men can also participate.”
Asked whether his demand is appropriate at a time when promoting unity is essential, Havilio said: “I believe that precisely at this time there is no place for separate events but for an event whose content will suit everyone and where everyone can participate.”
At Safra Square, Havilio’s demand aroused a little anger, including some hints that the mayoral candidate is trying to remain in the news at any price
The workers’ committee resents his appeal at a time when a significant part of the municipality’s female employees are concerned about their family members who are serving in the IDF.
Agitated market
A violent incident occurred at the Mahaneh Yehuda market, which indicates that after a rather long period of relative calm, cases of “protection” and extortion are back. A business owner was attacked and taken to the hospital with an injury to his upper body, and the business itself suffered a lot of damage. Three suspects were arrested.
Two months ago, six bullets were fired at a restaurant on Agrippas Street. And in the same week, a grenade was thrown at the home of one of the vendors in the market. The business owner was taken from the scene for medical treatment, with an injury to his upper body.
It’s a deal
One of the oldest hotels in Jerusalem, located in the city center, has been acquired for NIS 90 million and will undergo extensive renovation – the fifth hotel owned by the Moskowitz family, owners of the Prima hotel chain.
The Migdal Jerusalem hotel, located at 23 Hillel Street, will now become the Prima Vera as part of the Prima chain. The 17-story hotel with 120 guest rooms will be thoroughly renovated and upgraded at a cost of NIS 30m. The renovation and upgrading, which will begin after the war, will be done in several stages and will take over two years.
The expanding Prima chain has 15 hotels in the country – such as Tel Aviv, Eilat, the Dead Sea, Tiberias, Netanya, Petah Tikva, and Ra’anana.
New home
A neighborhood with over 1,700 housing units – to be built south of Ramat Rachel, west of the Sur Bahir – has been by the Jerusalem Local Planning and Building Committee.
The plan includes residences in a diverse mix, amounting to 1,483 housing units, as well as 309 units for special housing, of which 257 are to be for rent. Some of the buildings will include a commercial facade. In addition, kindergartens, two elementary schools, and a secondary school will be built on the site.
The plan was initiated by the Israel Land Authority together with the Jerusalem Municipality. ❖