Italian Firm Withdraws From Jerusalem Cable Car Project, Fifth International Company to Pull Out
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
An Italian engineering firm has withdrawn from a controversial cable car project to Jerusalem's Western Wall, marking the fifth international company to abandon the plan. Approved in 2019, the project has faced delays and political sensitivity, with previous withdrawals by French and Swiss companies. Despite judicial approval and promotion by Israeli authorities as a traffic solution, the cable car faces opposition from Palestinian residents, activists, and heritage groups concerned about its impact on the historic landscape and local rights. The Jerusalem Development Authority is seeking an alternative consultant due to technical difficulties.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- An Italian engineering firm withdrew from Jerusalem's Western Wall cable car project, the fifth international company to do so.
- The controversial project, approved in 2019, has faced significant delays and political sensitivity.
- Previous withdrawals included three French and one Swiss company, with one reportedly pressured by the French government.
- The cable car route faces opposition from Palestinian residents and heritage activists concerned about its impact.
- The Jerusalem Development Authority is seeking a new consultant due to technical difficulties.
- The project aims to connect the First Station complex to the Silwan neighborhood near the Western Wall.
An Italian engineering consultancy firm has withdrawn from the controversial cable car project intended to reach the Western Wall in Jerusalem, becoming the fifth international company to back out. The Israeli government approved the project in 2019, but it has yet to be implemented despite judicial approval. The Italian company informed local media of its withdrawal after the Jerusalem Development Authority announced an agreement to advance the plan. The authority's tender committee had previously published a notice for exemption from a tender, intending to contract with Engineering Ropeway ROPES, a specialist in engineering consultancy and cable car system design, citing a lack of suitable Israeli entities. However, the company denied continued participation, with Italian newspaper La Repubblica reporting its owner initially agreed to provide consulting services before retracting the decision. The company's general manager stated that work pressure was the reason for the withdrawal.
Four other foreign companies, three French and one Swiss, had previously withdrawn from the project over the past few years. In some instances, withdrawals were linked to the project's political sensitivity, with the French government reportedly asking one company in 2015 not to participate. Despite the Israeli Supreme Court rejecting petitions against the plan in 2022, the project has stalled. The proposed 1.4-kilometer route would connect the First Station complex in the Refaim Valley, pass Mount Zion, and end at the Kedem complex in the Silwan neighborhood, where the right-wing Elad settlement association is establishing a visitor center near the City of David national park.
Israeli authorities promote the cable car as a solution to traffic congestion near the Old City. However, it faces opposition from architects, heritage preservation activists, environmental organizations, and Palestinian residents of Silwan, who argue it could harm the historic landscape and infringe on residents' rights. The Karaite community also objected due to the planned route passing over their cemetery.
The Jerusalem Development Authority stated that the project is proceeding professionally and transparently. It added that the selected consultant cited technical difficulties preventing timely completion and that the authority is considering hiring an alternative consultant.
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