Image by Getty Images

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s Cabinet approved a plan on Sunday to build an elevator from Jerusalem’s Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall that would allow more accessibility for handicapped people to the holy site.

The elevator and a pedestrian tunnel at its foot is estimated to cost $14 million.

The Ruderman Family Foundation praised the decision to build the elevator and make the Western Wall more accessible to people with disabilities.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

“The Government of Israel made the right decision today to make Judaism’s holiest site, the Western Wall, accessible to people with disabilities by voting to build an elevator and passageway,” Ruderman Family Foundation president Jay Ruderman said in a statement. “For far too long, these ever-important sites were not completely accessible for people with disabilities, who account for twenty percent of the population. This decision will now ensure freedom to worship for all.”

The Cabinet’s weekly meeting was held in the Western Wall tunnels to mark the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.

They also discussed the construction of a cable car to the Dung Gate near the Western Wall in the Old City from the center of the city, and approved a five-year budget to develop the area around the Old City and to improve health, culture, welfare and education services in the city.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount