Kikar Tzion (Zion Square), which has been the site of dozens of protests and demonstrations, will become a square of tolerance and mutual respect according to Jerusalem City Hall officials.

Kikar Tzion will be redesigned as a “Center for Tolerance” as part of an architectural competition. The mother of the late Shira Banki, who was murdered at a Gay parade, will serve as a special advisor to the judges’ panel.

Officials state “The historic Zion Square, in the heart of downtown Jerusalem, which has been the site of dozens of protests and demonstrations, will soon become a square of tolerance and mutual respect in the spirit of the late Shira Banki, who was murdered at a Gay pride parade last year”.

Next Friday, 24 Adar-I, the Jerusalem Municipality will issue an architectural competition for the redesign of the Square through the Eden Jerusalem Center Development Company. The competition will award prizes for plans to redesign the historic Kikar Tzion, which will serve as part of the city’s strategic plan to strengthen the city center.

The family of the late Shira Banki heard about the architectural competition. The family contacted Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat with a request to consider how to use Kikar Tzion, which was a main center of mourning for Shira Banki during her shiva, to promote tolerance.

Following a conversation with Shira’s mother, Mika Banki, the Mayor decided that entries into the architectural competition should include plans for how to develop the Square as a place for connectedness, tolerance, and mutual respect, as represented by the late Shira Banki. Mika Banki will also serve as a special adviser to the Mayor and the judges’ panel, which will pick the winning proposal.

Kikar Tzion is a commercial and entertainment hub that links two of Jerusalem’s main Streets: Jaffa Street and Ben Yehuda Street. Its name comes from the historic Zion Cinema, which began operating in 1912, before the Square existed. During the British Mandate, the British decided to move Jerusalem’s commercial center to the area, and planned the Square.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)