Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion has officially announced the cancellation of the original Reches Lavan construction plan, aiming to prevent environmental damage to the city’s open spaces and the natural landscape surrounding its historic springs.
The decision follows years of intense public protests and legal battles over the disputed development, with the municipality now shifting its focus toward environmental preservation and Eco-tourism.
Speaking on the second day of the 54th Annual Conference for Science and the Environment, Lion emphasized the ecological value of the area, which many residents view as the capital's substitute for a coastline.
"I stopped the original Reches Lavan plan," Lion stated. "When I examined the area, I saw the natural springs, the wildlife, and the approximately 11,500 trees. We will not cut them down, certainly not during my term. The uniqueness of Jerusalem is that we do not have a sea. Our most significant natural asset is the Jerusalem forests."
