* The project is located in the above map on #3 sign.

Location
Silwan

Initiator
Elad Settlers’ Association and Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Implementer
Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Budget
NIS 4M governmental funding and NIS 6M Elad Settlers’ Association.

Project Description
This is the most ambitious project built in the vicinity of the Old City walls. The complex is planned only about 20 meters from the Old City walls, at the northern entrance to the settler project of the “City of David”, which is also the northern entrance to Silwan neighborhood. It will be part of the “Jerusalem Walls” National Park, and is designed to rise 7 floors, reaching almost to the height of the Old City walls. It would also be built atop important archaeological findings, which would be exhibited in the basement, while other findings that have not been excavated will be destroyed. The complex will include more than 16,000 Square meters of commercial, tourist and parking areas, as well as a “Bible Hall” and the Cable Car station, which are considered as two national projects.
The Kedem complex is a joint initiative of the Elad Settlers’ Association and the National Nature and Parks Authority. The government’s decisions indicate government involvement from the planning stage, through the approval of the plan to its financing.

Status
At this stage, only the approval of the Antiquities Authority is missing, to be granted after the completion of the archeological excavations that are currently underway. The final approval of the plan will be granted after the completion of these archeological excavations.

Approving Entity
The government of Israel; The National Planning Committee.

Objections
Silwan residents, Emek Shaveh, Ir Amim (An Israeli non-profit organization that deals with the complexity of life in Jerusalem in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the political future of the city), and prominent public figures.

Implementation
Archeological excavations are underway at the planned site.
 

Picture from: Nature Authority.