* The project is located on figure #9.

Projects by the Western Wall Heritage Foundation:
Ground-Level Excavations in the “Western Wall” Area “Beit Haliba”

Location
The “Western Wall” Square and adjacent area.

Initiator
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation (in coordination the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Religious Affairs).

Implementer
The Western Wall Heritage Foundation. The foundation is a governmental body established by the Ministry of Religion in 1988. It is charged with developing the “Western Wall” area. It funds, among other things, the digs in the “Western Wall” tunnels and under the Muslim Quarter.

Budget
NIS 20-22 Million annually

Project Description
Ground-Level excavations: Archaeological excavation under the Muslim Quarter and the “Western Wall” Square.
“Beit Haliba” (Western Wall Heritage Foundation House): A monumental building right in front of the “Western Wall” for the use of the Foundation. The building is three stories and is almost 3,000 m2. The planning process took years, but was eventually approved despite many objections.

Approving Entity
Jerusalem Local and District Planning and Building Committees.

Objections
ACAP, Emek Shaveh, prominent archaeologists, and local residents.

Status
Approved.

Implementations
Ground level excavations are underway.
Construction of “Beit HaLiba” began in 2019, and it now (2023) been completed.

Pictures by Uri Urlich