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Har HaZeisim is considered one of the most important holy places for the Jewish people. An importance that is expressed in the Jewish tradition but also because people who were significant in the nation are buried for generations. Including great rabbis, public figures, former prime ministers and victims of terrorism.

Taking part in a visit to the site were Minister of Religious Affairs David Azoulai, chairman of the Knesset’s lobby for the protection of Har HaZeisim MK Yoav Ben Tzur, Jerusalem Police Chief Yoram Halevy and more than fifty members of the International Committee for the Protection of the Jewish People Mount of Olives including Malcolm Hoenlein, one of the most prominent Jews in the United States. Also taking part were the brothers Menachem and Abraham Lubinsky.

The group is the largest lobby in the Knesset today.

Har HaZeisim is the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world, about 3,000 years old. There are burial sites of some 150,000 Jews, among them prophets, rabbis, leaders of all generations and victims of terror. To this day, Har HaZeisim serves as an international cemetery and constitutes one of the most sacred sites for the Jewish people. The heavy vandalism, stone throwing, dirt and neglect on the mountain prevent many from visiting the important graves that are there ongoing efforts in Israel and the committee mentioned above to rectify the situation.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)