Mount of Olives Visitor Center Nears Completion, Security Cameras Expanded

The structural framework for a new visitor center at the historic Jewish cemetery on Jerusalem's Mount of Olives is nearing completion. The center, spanning over 1,000 square meters across two floors with an open roof, is a joint project involving the Ministry of Jerusalem and Tradition, the Jerusalem Municipality, the Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA), Moriah Company, and the International Committee for the Preservation of the Mount of Olives.

As construction progresses, stakeholders are focusing on developing the content that will be displayed within the center to tell the unique historical story of the Mount of Olives. Discussions are also underway to find a concessionaire to operate the facility once it opens to the public. A recent professional tour, led by the International Committee for the Preservation of the Mount of Olives and attended by JDA officials including incoming Director-General Tzachi Namir, reviewed the building's layout and the operational plan.

Simultaneously, security on the Mount of Olives is being enhanced. This includes upgrading the camera surveillance system with new infrastructure, protected cabinets, and additional cameras. Over the past month, seven armored cabinets have been installed at various points, with two already operational. Three more are expected this week. Infrastructure has also been upgraded at another site, with two cameras replaced and four new cameras installed elsewhere, alongside infrastructure improvements.

Avraham Lubinsky, Chairman of the International Committee for the Preservation of the Mount of Olives, expressed excitement about the project becoming a reality, stating it's a significant step in restoring the Mount of Olives' place in Jewish consciousness. He emphasized the ongoing need for security and infrastructure improvements to ensure a dignified, accessible, and safe experience for visitors. Menachem Lubinsky, a leader of the committee, added that the center should convey the Mount of Olives' significance to Jewish history and its special place in Jerusalem. Moshe Bruce, the committee's representative in Israel, highlighted the consistent efforts in upgrading security infrastructure, including cameras and protected cabinets, to bolster the sense of security for families and visitors, attributing these efforts to the Ministry of Housing and Construction, the Ministry of Security, and the Israel Police.