Israel Cancels 911 Memorial in Jerusalem
An Israeli court has blocked construction of a 911 memorial in The Jerusalem Forest overlooking the Dome of the Rock.
An anonymous donor gave $1 million two years ago for construction of a 9/11 memorial. The Jerusalem municipality issued a permit for the memorial, but the plan was challenged by environmental groups. The Jerusalem Court for Administrative Affairs ruled that the area selected for the tribute is dedicated for preservation and all building there is forbidden.
The court decision was quietly reported in March 2005 and we just found out about it as we have been diligently searching (unsuccessfully) to find any 911 Memorial in Israel.
If this is in fact the case this is a horrible act of ingratitude as many (most?) believe the events of 911 were triggered by the U.S. support for Israel (rather than a fight over Freedom as some have tried to say).
IF ANYBODY KNOWS OF ANY PERMANENT MEMORIAL IN ISRAEL PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!
The memorial would have been on a handsome site overlooking the Dome of the Rock and truly would have given credibility to those that believe the Zero in “Ground Zero” meant the beginning of the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Those same people would prefer something a little more inspiring at Ground Zero than an underground bunker with two holes in the roof.
According to the Jewish National Fund (which had pushed the memorial) Website:
With input and ideas collected from the Mayor of Jerusalem and top executives at JNF, award-winning Israeli artist E. Weishoff designed a 30- foot bronze sculpture, symbolizing the World Trade Center, to be set upon a stone pillar. The pillar will be inscribed with the names of the victims from the attacks along with the flag of their country.
The sculpture will be surrounded by trees in the shape of the Pentagon. The trees will be planted by thousands of donors from around the world as a symbol of life. Each tree will be planted in the name of someone who was killed or injured in terrorist attacks, as well as in honor of those who bravely tried to rescue them. At the entrance to the memorial will be an amphitheater where visitors may come together, as well as benches throughout the forest for quiet meditation.
“Set against the magnificent backdrop of Jerusalem, the Living Memorial will be a moving site from which to mourn the victims of 9/11 as well as consider the thousands of victims of terrorism worldwide,” said Russell F. Robinson, JNF Chief Executive Officer. “This should be a place for visiting dignitaries–Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ambassadors and citizens of the world–to come together to remember, reflect and heal. More than anything we hope that this Living Memorial will remind us to reaffirm our commitment to tolerance, the unity of mankind, and democracy.”
The United Jerusalem Website which has details and pictures of the proposed memorial has no mention if the memorial will be located elsewhere.
Likewise the E.Weissoff sculpture website makes no mention of it.