Struggles between MDA and Hatazalah: who will guard Mama Rachel?

Ugly battle concerning the security around Rachel's Tomb, located on the northern outskirts of Bethlehem: Every year tens of thousands of Jews stream to pray at the grave of Mama Rachel on her yartzeit, on 11th Cheshvan. The 'National Development Center for the Holy Sites', is in charge of the event, and regulates the security and medical security.

A bid held by 'National Development Center for the Holy Sites', for securing the area was won by Hatzalah.

Zeevi Kashish, chairman of the Hatzalah: "In the afternoon, we received an official and signed approval on behalf of the 'National Development Center for the Holy Sites' that we will secure the Hillula. This was after we submitted the lowest bid.
But after a while a senior Jerusalem police director turned to the National Development Center Yossi Schwinger, and told him the only factor competent to secure the Hillula, is the Magen David Adom organization.

"The reason? Jerusalem Police officials explained that the only body that can determine the security arrangements for the event is MDA, and after they have determined that, they demanded that MDA will perform security".

But Hatzalah have not given up. The organization involved legal entities, who opposed the police demands and claimed that the police can actually decide who will determine the necessary arrangements required, but it does not require that factor - i.e. MDA - will perform the actual security.

Ultimately, the courts persuaded the National Development Center that the police are not empowered to determine who will perform the security, and Hatzalah will indeed secure the hillula medically, according to the arrangements set by MDA.

Preparation and schedule

The hillula of Mama Rachel will be on Shabbos 11th of Cheshvan. Consequently, the cemetery pilgrimage will be spread over Thursday, Friday, Motzei Shabbos and Sunday before noon.

In addition to Hatzalah, the Jerusalem police assisted by Police forces, will secure the crowds expected to visit the grave, starting tomorrow.

In addition to the preparations, starting from 15:00 until 17:00 on Sunday, private vehicles will not be allowed entry from the Rosemarine junction toward the tomb. Pedestrians from Rosemarine will also not be permitted entry.

All vehicles will be directed to the parking lot east of the Teddy Stadium and then transported by shuttle made available to the public.

Egged will operate the 163 bus line on a reinforced schedule during the hillula.

Car parking will not be allowed at Gilo / Rosemarine.

Police request of the public to abide to police orders. They also recommend coming on Thursday and Friday so as not to create pressure on Motzei Shabbos.

According to a decision and in coordination with the National Developing Center for the Holy Sites, Rachel's Tomb will be closed on Friday at 14:30 and reopen on Motzei Shabbos at 19:30.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!