Rabbi Goldknopf informed Avrohom and Menachem Lubinsky, the co-chairs of ICHH, that he had secured NIS 6 million for the cameras with the project due to be executed by Israel’s Police. The cameras will feed into a new updated central monitoring station with full views of every corner of the 2-kilometer holy cemetery. While being stalled due to the security situation in the country, the project received a final push from Itamar Ben Gvi, Minister for Internal Affairs.

The ICHH leaders thanked the government officials for this important major improvement to the security of visitors to Har Hazeisim. “Using new technology, the cameras will greatly enhance the experience of mourners and visitors to Har Hzeisim,” the Har Hazeism leaders said.

The groundbreaking announcement comes on the heels of the historic mission of the ICHH in February. Prominent community leaders from around the world attended the 2-day mission to mark the completion of the first phase of construction of the historic Visitor Education Center on Har Hazeisim which will include a fully staffed police station to go along with the new surveillance cameras. More than 150 community activists met with leading personalities in government including the Chief Rabbis, President Isaac Herzog who hosted a state reception honoring the historic reclamation of Har Hazeisim, several minister of government, 20 members of Knesset, the special Knesset Caucus on Har Hazeiaim, formerly headed by MK Rabbi Yoav ben Zur and MK Erez Malul of Shas.  The events culminated with a reception at the US Embassy by Ambassador Mike Huckabee.

The ICHH was founded in May 2010 after devastating abuse and neglect as well as vandalism against tombstones and visitors.  It has been responsible for the improved security on the hallowed mountain since its founding. These security measures originally included the installation of 176 surveillance cameras, opening a police station, gating throughout to keep vandals out, sanitation, and rehabilitation of the infrastructure. 

Police officials estimate that the average number of daily visitors has risen from less than 400 nearly five years ago to well over 3000 today. Tens of thousands ascend to Har Hazeisim on the yahrzeits of the Ohr Hachaim, the Rebbes of Zhvill, the Bartenura, and the Rebbes of Gur. A growing number of visitors visit the various kevarim of the leading sages over the generations, the burial place of the Nevi’im, the site where the ashes of the parah adumah were placed, the exact spot where the new chodesh was proclaimed and  other historic places associated with the period of the Bais Hamikdash.