"The Kotel's square is small. Fear of mass disaster". Disclosure

The building plan of "Core House" in the square of the Western Wall, whose existence was first exposed in Behadrei Hareidim, is picking up speed, but yesterday (Sunday) it appeared that the plan might also endanger human life.

In a document which reached Behadrei Hareidim, and is first published here, the engineer Rami Shemesh, one of the most senior engineers in Israel, and one who supervised the "Committee of Five" which dealt with preparing the Rashbi's grave in Meiron this year, writes that "the square in front of the Kotel, considering the increase in the number of tourists and believers who visit the site, is not able to contain and is too small. There is an immediate obligation and necessity to give a solution before, G-d forbid, a mass disaster might take place".

Later on in his words, Shemesh examines the plan of the "Core House", "The reserve ground which exists for the purpose of extending the square of the Kotel is the ground west of the square on which the building of the Core House is planned. This square is extremely important in order to cater for the crowd's standing while taking into consideration the fact that the density in the square will worsen with time".

Shemesh explains: "According to my professional opinion, during a mass incident, the square of the Kotel is a very dangerous place because of its crowding, and might G-d forbid bring to a disaster, in a case where there are masses praying and stones will be thrown from the direction of the Temple Mount or a more severe terrorist attack, and the masses of people praying will look for a way backwards out of the demarcation, without any possibility to escape. I foresee a mass trampling of the public which might end even in death, such as the Arad disaster".

Shemesh ends his words: "The approval of the Core House plan which will diminish the Kotel square by 20%, might cause a disaster in the future. To my mind, the necessity of extending is far more important than the necessity in functions which the future of the Core might serve".

One should mention that this opinion joins the views of the previous police head Asaf Hefetz and the commanding officer of the Shay district Asaf Kremersky, who also claimed that the plan might cause real danger to human life.

In response, the Fund for the Heritage of the Western Wall replied to Behadrei Hareidim: 1. The commanding officer of Jerusalem, Niso Shaham, rejected Hefetz's opinion, and claimed that the building will actually help the security of the Kotel.
2. The Core House is not destined to be put up on the area of the present Kotel. We are dealing with a building which will be above archeological excavations which is not part of the existing square, and is at the bottom of a high cliff, which has steps towards the Jaffa gate on one side, while on its other side is the Aish Hatorah Yeshiva.

Furthermore, the Core House will add a considerable area to the Kotel square, something which was not until the present, on the upper level, and will serve as an addition to the square without them being on the same level. This claim, not only lacks a base, but is also in contrast to the reality on the scene.

3. It should be mentioned that the engineer Rami Shemesh represents those who have interests and fear that the building will do them damage, and prefer a personal interest over a public interest. The Fund for the Heritage of the Western Wall sees the needs of the millions who visit the Kotel, and gives solutions to their minimal needs.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!