Maale HaZeitim

Amidst the ancient stones of Jerusalem, a tale unfolds on the slopes of Ma’ale HaZeitim. Ma’ale HaZeitim whispers stories of resilience and disputes. It’s a Jewish Israeli settlement nestled on the Mount of Olives, near Ras al-Amud. In 2010, around 250 people called this place home, comprising about 50 families. The vision for Ma’ale HaZeitim was ambitious. It was meant to expand, merging with Ma’alot David across the street, and become the largest Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem. By 2016, Ma’ale HaZeitim housed approximately 90 families, while Ma’alot David had grown to 23 housing units. Construction began in 2017 on a community center. This center would boast two synagogues, a kindergarten, a place for higher learning, a library, and an event hall. Imagine the view these spaces would offer, overlooking the Temple Mount. Ma’ale HaZeitim’s story isn’t without its complexities. Its existence sparks international debate, with its legality contested under international law. However, the Israeli government maintains a different perspective on the matter. Let’s rewind to 2003. A small group of eight Jewish individuals moved into three dilapidated homes surrounded by graves in the Sephardi section of the Mount of Olives cemetery. The area, legally owned by the General Burial Society of Jerusalem, had fallen into disrepair. It had become a haven for drug users, a dumping ground for construction debris, and even a chop shop for stolen cars. Interestingly, other Jewish properties dotted the area, including a gas station near Ma’ale HaZeitim. The land itself has a rich history. Philanthropists Moshe Wittenberg and Nissan Bak acquired it in the mid-19th century for kollels associated with the Chabad and Wollin Hasidim. Designated as part of the Jewish cemetery, the land couldn’t be used for burials south of the Jerusalem-Jericho road due to Turkish restrictions. Instead, the kollels leased the land to an Arab farmer who cultivated wheat for Passover matzah. The land’s ownership formally transferred to the kollels in 1923 after British changes to land laws. Then, in 1990, American businessman and philanthropist Irving Moskowitz purchased the land. Ma’ale HaZeitim stands as a testament to the intricate layers of history, politics, and faith that shape Jerusalem. Its story continues to unfold. Its future remains interwoven with the larger narrative of the region.