Ministerial Heritage Plan Committee Approves 13 Additional Initiatives for
Renovation and Strengthening
(Communicated by the Prime Minister’s Media Adviser)

The Ministerial Heritage Plan Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, today (Tuesday), 14.2.12, unanimously approved a plan to renovate
and strengthen 13 additional initiatives, at a cost of NIS 72.5 (NIS 32.5
will be financed by the Heritage Plan and NIS 40 million will be financed by
outside sources).

The approved initiatives include archaeological sites, sites and structures
for preservation and archives, as well as intangible initiatives that
promote culture and the arts. Included among the approved initiatives are:

(1) An interactive reconstruction of a watchtower-and-stockade community
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Stockade.html
(2) operating the Yemin Moshe windmill in Jerusalem
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem3.html#Yemin
[3] preserving and upgrading the Umm El-Umdan archaeological site
http://www.hadashot-esi.org.il/report_detail_eng.asp?id=321&mag_id=111
(near Modi'in), which presents a complete section of a Jewish community from
the Hasmonean period
[4] the development of Tel Shilo
http://www.shilo.org.il/was.htm
where the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant situated;
[5] upgrading the presentation at Beit Hapkidot in Rosh Pina
http://www.yourway.co.il/Beit_Hapkidut.html
and renovating the first Hebrew school in the community
[6] operating the "Adopt a Site" plan in which students will preserve
archaeological sites at Tel Yokneam
http://www.biblewalks.com/Sites/Yokneam.html,
Tel Usha
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usha_(ancient)
and Tel Batash
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timnah

In the area of non-tangible heritage, the approved projects include

[1]the establishment of an unofficial pre-state immigration archive at Atlit
http://www.shimur.org/english/article.php?id=27

[2] preserving and digitizing the collection at The Center for Jewish Art
http://cja.huji.ac.il/home_page.html and other museums in Israel and putting
them on the Internet

[3] an initiative to preserve plants in danger of extinction, including the
establishment of a gene bank.

During the meeting, it was made clear that:

[1] Rachel's Tomb
http://www.rachelstomb.org/
[2] tthe Cave of the Patriarchs
http://www.machpela.com/english/

are on the list of the heritage sites of the Jewish People and that their
location, importance and centrality will not be infringed on. In recent
months, Rachel's Tomb has undergone a process of renovation, reconstruction
and comprehensive care for the benefit of the tens of thousands of visitors.
The Cave of the Patriarchs does not require any structural renovation except
for the installation of a lift to improve access for handicapped worshippers
and repairs to the roof, which will be evaluated by the Civil
Administration.

As of now, approximately 65 initiatives have been approved in the framework
of the Plan, including 40 sites and 25 non-tangible initiatives, at an
overall cost of approximately NIS 250 million (NIS 131 million in financing
by the Heritage Plan and NIS 118 million from outside sources). The drawing
up of contracts for the initiatives is nearing completion; work is due to
begin in the coming weeks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed that the implementation of the
initiatives be accelerated and asked Prime Minister's Office
Director-General Harel Locker to work to remove any bureaucratic
impediments. "The Heritage Plan is an additional example of action by this
Government. This is an extraordinary decision that links the Jewish People
with its national and Zionist heritage. We must accelerate the Plan and
move forward on the projects so that everyone will be able to enjoy them
soon," the Prime Minister said.

Cabinet Secretary Tzvi Hauser said, "The approval of 60 initiatives at a
cost of NIS 250 million attests to the change in the priorities of this
Government and determines that cultural and heritage assets are a national
mission of the highest importance."

Heritage Plan Director Reuven Pinaski noted that in 2011 the planning and
organizational infrastructure had been created for strengthening Israel's
national heritage. "This infrastructure works closely with other government
agencies, the Tourism Ministry, the Environmental Protection Ministry, the
Education Ministry and the Culture and Sports Ministry in order to implement
the Government's important and historical decision on national heritage," he
said.