Jerusalem ceremony celebrates Jewish heritage revival while Israel safeguards sacred Mount of Olives against past desecration.
In a series of historic events held in Jerusalem on February 16–17, Israel and Jewish leaders from across the world gathered to celebrate the restoration and protection of the Mount of Olives, one of Judaism’s most sacred sites.
The mountain serves as the 3,000-year-old Jewish cemetery containing the graves of more than 150,000 Jews, including biblical figures, revered rabbis, and modern Israeli leaders. For centuries it has symbolized Jewish spiritual continuity and Jerusalem’s historic Jewish presence.
The events were organized by the International Committee for Har Hazeitim (ICHH) in cooperation with the Israeli government and the Municipality of Jerusalem.
The centerpiece of the two-day mission was a ceremony marking the completion of the first floor of the Har Hazeitim Visitor Education Center, a project designed to preserve the sanctity of the historic cemetery while strengthening visitor security and historical education.
Global Leaders Emphasize Protection of Sacred Site
The mission began with a town hall meeting at the Begin Center where U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee highlighted the global significance of the Mount of Olives.
He praised the ongoing work of the ICHH in restoring and protecting the cemetery, emphasizing that safeguarding the site preserves an irreplaceable part of Jewish and world heritage.
Delegates later toured the cemetery and witnessed extensive improvements that have transformed the area. Restoration work, security installations, and structural upgrades now allow hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to visit the historic burial ground safely and respectfully—something that had been nearly impossible just years earlier.
Israeli Leadership Honors Restoration Efforts
Israel’s spiritual leadership also participated in the events.
Chief Rabbis Rabbi Kalman Ber and Rabbi David Yosef hosted a special reception and spoke about the unique holiness of the Mount of Olives, noting that it is the only cemetery within Jerusalem’s traditional biblical boundaries.
Both rabbis emphasized the responsibility of protecting the sacred site for future generations and praised the ICHH for reversing years of neglect and desecration that once threatened the cemetery.
During a special state ceremony, Israeli President Isaac Herzog highlighted the deep national and personal importance of the site.
Herzog noted that his own grandfather, former Israeli President Chaim Herzog, is buried on the Mount of Olives—reflecting the personal connection many Jewish families share with the sacred mountain.
In recognition of the leadership behind the restoration project, Herzog presented signed books about the Herzog family to Menachem and Avraham Lubinsky, the brothers who founded the ICHH.
More than 80 international delegates attended the ceremony at the President’s Residence.
Knesset and Government Show Strong Support
Israel’s parliament also paused its schedule to honor the initiative.
More than 20 Members of Knesset and six government ministers attended a ceremony hosted by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, demonstrating national commitment to protecting the Mount of Olives.
MK Rabbi Yoav ben Zur, leader of the Knesset Caucus on the Mount of Olives, praised the organization’s work. At its peak, the caucus included 76 lawmakers from across the political spectrum, making it the largest caucus in Knesset history.
Transformation After Years of Neglect
The restoration effort began in 2010 after a report by Israel’s State Comptroller exposed severe neglect at the cemetery, including widespread vandalism and damaged graves.
Since then, major security and preservation improvements have been implemented:
Security and Restoration Achievements
| Initiative | Impact |
|---|---|
| 176 surveillance cameras | Continuous security monitoring |
| Police substation | Permanent law enforcement presence |
| New fences and gates | Controlled access to cemetery |
| Restoration projects | Repair of damaged graves |
| Visitor center construction | Education and historical preservation |
These measures have dramatically improved safety and restored dignity to the historic burial site.
Visitor Education Center: Protecting the Future
The newly constructed Har Hazeitim Visitor Education Center will serve as a gateway for hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
The center will provide:
- Educational exhibitions on the mountain’s 3,000-year Jewish history
- Security coordination and monitoring
- Visitor orientation and heritage programming
- Preservation initiatives for the cemetery
Construction is already advancing toward the second floor.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion received special recognition for helping make the project possible.
A Sacred Responsibility for Future Generations
The mission concluded with ceremonies honoring the 150,000 Jews buried on the Mount of Olives, including a moving recitation of Kaddish and Kel Maleh Rachamim.
Leaders emphasized that the work of protecting the sacred mountain is far from finished.
Safeguarding Har Hazeitim—its holiness, history, and the graves of generations of Jews—requires continued vigilance and global support to ensure that one of Judaism’s most sacred heritage sites remains protected for centuries to come.
