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Government approves $35 million upgrade to Western Wall infrastructure

The five-year plan aims to increase the number of visits to the site by improving access and developing educational programs. Annual visits grew by 2 million between 2015 and 2020.

The Western Wall plaza and the Dome of the Rock, in Jerusalem's Old City. Dec. 23, 2021. Photo by Lee Aloni/Flash90.
The Western Wall plaza and the Dome of the Rock, in Jerusalem’s Old City. Dec. 23, 2021. Photo by Lee Aloni/Flash90.

Israel’s Cabinet on Sunday approved a 110 million shekel ($35 million) plan to upgrade the infrastructure of the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, the five-year plan aims to increase the number of visits to the holy site by improving accessibility to public transportation, developing new educational programs and supporting existing development projects.

As the most sacred site in Judaism and one of the most prominent historical and archeological sites in the world, the Western Wall is visited by millions of people from around the world. Between 2015 and 2020, the number of visitors to the Western Wall grew from 10 million to 12 million.

“The five-year plan that the government has just approved will continue upgrading urgent infrastructures at the site and assist in encouraging masses of additional visitors. I thank government ministers and ministries for their cooperation. Quietly and effectively, day after day, our government is working for the citizens of Israel,” said Bennett in a statement.

This article first appeared in Israel Hayom.

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