YWN-ISRAEL recently reported on the continued attacks by Arabs against Jews visiting Har HaZeisim. Following the report, Menachem Lubinsky, who serves as Co-Chairman of the International Committee (ICPHH) for the Preservation of Har HaZeisim issued the following clarification for the benefit of readers and those wishing to visit kevarim on Har HaZeisim.

“The facts are that since October 2015, there have been few attacks against visitors and no desecrated graves. The network of 172 surveillance cameras as well as a platoon of Border Police and 24 officers of the Israeli Police have kept the cemetery and its environs relatively safe. People are once again coming to Har HaZeisim as was evidenced during the yahrzeits of Gur (20,000), Zvill (20,000) and the Ohr Hachaim (40,000). While many people do opt to visit with private security [the ICPHH also provides this service] hundreds visit daily without security in complete safety.

“Your readers will be interested to know that the Israeli Government has invested nearly NIS 100 million into the cemetery and has drawn up plans to further improve security, including the hiring of 1260 police officers for Eastern Jerusalem”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)