For the first time: The Jerusalem City Council approved evacuation and construction in the Shmuel Hanavi neighborhood

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In an unprecedented move: The Jerusalem City Council met for the first time to approve the declaration of two complexes in the Shmuel Hanavi neighborhood as evacuation-construction complexes – thus removing the last obstacle on the way to the official declaration by the government authority for urban renewal.

This is a real breakthrough in promoting large-scale projects in the Haredi sector in Jerusalem.

The approval relates to the first two complexes from a large-scale plan promoted by the 'Yerushalut Outskirts' company, which is set to become one of the largest urban renewal programs in the ultra-Orthodox community.

This phase includes over 650 new housing units, as part of a total complex of approximately 1,700 housing units that will be built in place of the old and neglected buildings.

The program is supported by neighborhood residents, public representatives, senior municipal officials, and government ministries - but above all, the support of Torah scholars from all sectors stands out, who have accompanied the process from the beginning. The spiritual leadership is closely accompanied by the Gaon Rabbi David Cohen, Rosh Yeshiva of Hebron, who supports the advancement of the project.

According to one of the project leaders, this is not only a planning and material upgrade, but also an important spiritual move to restore public space and remove hazards from the neighborhood: "Living in old, crowded, and crumbling buildings is not appropriate - neither physically nor spiritually. This plan will enable safe housing, a high quality of life, and strengthening the Haredi character of the area."

The move in Shmuel Hanevi may serve as a precedent for other programs in other Haredi cities. Unlike similar initiatives, this project was advanced thanks to close cooperation with the residents and the rabbis, and is considered one of the most successful models for implementing evacuation-reconstruction adapted to the Haredi public.

The Government Urban Renewal Authority is expected to publish the official announcement documents soon, and work is expected to begin after the detailed planning phase is completed and building permits are received.