WHAT IS THE CITY DOING TO ZION SQUARE?

" alt="" width="511" height="342" />

See the sculpture that the City of Jerusalem wants to place at Zion Square

Online petition - Save Zion Square

Dear Concerned Resident of Jerusalem,

Lemallah is a broad based organization of individuals from family, business, religious and community organizations who have united together in the preservation of Jerusalem and of our Jewish heritage. Lemallah has already stopped the Jerusalem Foundation working with the city planners from changing the name of Zion Square. Lemallah is now leading the opposition to a huge sculpture that is being proposed by the same planning committee that if allowed will be a disaster for generations to come.

BACKGROUND: A billionaire family through their foundation has donated 2 million dollars to the city of Jerusalem for the purposes of renovations at Zion Square and which includes a huge sculpture that has not been made public. The Jerusalem foundation promised to the Rapoport family that the name of historic Zion Square would be changed to Rapoport plaza in their honor. Lemallah has been successful in stopping the name from being changed.

CITY PLAN FOR ZION SQUARE: A huge rusty steel sculpture paid for by the same Rapoport Family and pushed by the Jerusalem Foundation and the City’s Chief Architect Ofer Manor has been kept secret from the public for over two years by the same planning committee. LEMALLAH citizens group has been able to obtain pictures of the proposed sculpture. The overwhelming response by everyone who has seen it is disbelief using words ranging from “ugly” to “catastrophic” to describe it. See the sculpture in the photo above and decide for yourself. If this is built it will be a haven for beer drinking and urination.

Click here to see the magnificent "PEACE DOME": http://wakeupzion.info/zionsquareflash.html

We believe that ANY sculpture placed at Zion Square no matter how beautiful would not be appropriate for such a small square as it would be disharmonious and interfere with the view of the square, making it appear smaller; it would also obscure the lighting and the free flow of people. Furthermore Zion Square is a place where people traditionally wish to have demonstrations, where the Menorah is lit every year on Hanukah and the center of festivities. The plan by the city to move demonstrations to Sahal Square is out of touch with the people.

In response LEMALLAH has designed the “PEACE DOME” a world class monument made of titanium that is harmonious with the lighting, the free flow of people and does not obstruct the view at all. We believe that the most important and difficult part of the “PEACE DOME” project will not be the construction or securing the money to build it, but rather will be for the city to make a decision to build it. In fact we believe that Jerusalem cannot afford not to build it as it will pump hundreds of millions of shekels a year into Jerusalem from increased tourism that will result. But the reasons to build are many.

1) It is a people friendly Dome stimulating a feeling of safety and shelter under it.

2) The magnificence in size and height of the PEACE DOME as well as it being an uncovered, means there will be no feelings of being closed in and will not block the sun

3) It will leave Zion Square unblocked so that important demonstrations and events can continue to take place there.

4) It will stimulate tourism to Jerusalem like the Eiffel tower to Paris. The “PEACE DOME” made of Titanium Steel will shimmer beautifully in the sun making Zion Square a tourist magnet.

5) New postcards will replace the “dome of the rock” with the “PEACE DOME” giving a Jewish face of Jerusalem to the world.

6) It is simply the best plan for Zion Square, for Jerusalem and for Israel.

7) We propose as part of this project to city should change the zoning regulations for all contract renewals in that Zion circle.

a) No Banks should be allowed to renew their lease on ground floor levels. Ground floor levels should only be given rental approval for community beneficial businesses such as sidewalk cafes, pubs, theater, restaurants and other people friendly business that stimulates a fun atmosphere. Money changers and banks can go on the second floor. Now as it is Banks control ALL of the important squares in Jerusalem and they will always have the money to beat anyone else.