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usands of visitors that came each year – mostly tourists, "Birthright" participants, and
youth from overseas.
Following statements by various individuals and bodies that had noted the situation
and warned about it, including the Society for the Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites;
MK Rabbi Michael Melchior; the Tel Aviv Municipality and its mayor, Ron Huldai; MK
Meir Sheetrit, Chairman of the Public Council of the Bible Museum; Danny Ophir, the
museum director, and former MK Efraim Sneh proposed the "Independence Hall Law"
that was approved by the Knesset on July 27, 2009.
T he law comprises 30 sections. Section 5 defines the purposes of the building.The
purposes of Independence Hall are:
1 To restore and preserve the building in which Israel's independence was declared and
in which the Provisional State Council gathered, including restoration of the hall in
which the Proclamation took place and its preservation; and to present artifacts related
to the Proclamation and the Scroll of Independence;
2 To serve as a museum which will display, through suitable means, the history of the
Jewish People in the Land of Israel throughout the generations, from the beginning
of its existence until the present time, giving expression to the national and historic
importance of the return of the Jewish People to the Land of Israel and the establishment
of the state;
3 To hold educational and cultural activities in the spirit of the Scroll of Independence,
with emphasis on the connection between the Bible and Israeli independence, on topics
pertaining to the aims of this law;
4 To preserve the memory and endeavors of Meir Dizengoff, in keeping with the aims of
this law."
T he law goes on to stipulate that "Independence Hall will be run and operated on
behalf of the state, under the responsibility and supervision of the State Archivist". It adds
that "an advisory committee to the Archivist, comprising 15 members, will be established,
to advise the Archivist with regard to its management and operations." The members of the
advisory committee are to include representatives of government offices that are in some way
connected to the site; representatives of the academic world; representatives of the World
Zionist Organization; representatives of the JNF; and representatives of other bodies whose
activities relate to the site, including "the representative of an organization whose main activity
is the preservation of the memory of Meir Dizengoff and the origins of the first Hebrew city."
The law also states that the State Archivist will appoint the body that will oversee the site,
through an appropriate executive process.
Other Perspectives 201
youth from overseas.
Following statements by various individuals and bodies that had noted the situation
and warned about it, including the Society for the Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites;
MK Rabbi Michael Melchior; the Tel Aviv Municipality and its mayor, Ron Huldai; MK
Meir Sheetrit, Chairman of the Public Council of the Bible Museum; Danny Ophir, the
museum director, and former MK Efraim Sneh proposed the "Independence Hall Law"
that was approved by the Knesset on July 27, 2009.
T he law comprises 30 sections. Section 5 defines the purposes of the building.The
purposes of Independence Hall are:
1 To restore and preserve the building in which Israel's independence was declared and
in which the Provisional State Council gathered, including restoration of the hall in
which the Proclamation took place and its preservation; and to present artifacts related
to the Proclamation and the Scroll of Independence;
2 To serve as a museum which will display, through suitable means, the history of the
Jewish People in the Land of Israel throughout the generations, from the beginning
of its existence until the present time, giving expression to the national and historic
importance of the return of the Jewish People to the Land of Israel and the establishment
of the state;
3 To hold educational and cultural activities in the spirit of the Scroll of Independence,
with emphasis on the connection between the Bible and Israeli independence, on topics
pertaining to the aims of this law;
4 To preserve the memory and endeavors of Meir Dizengoff, in keeping with the aims of
this law."
T he law goes on to stipulate that "Independence Hall will be run and operated on
behalf of the state, under the responsibility and supervision of the State Archivist". It adds
that "an advisory committee to the Archivist, comprising 15 members, will be established,
to advise the Archivist with regard to its management and operations." The members of the
advisory committee are to include representatives of government offices that are in some way
connected to the site; representatives of the academic world; representatives of the World
Zionist Organization; representatives of the JNF; and representatives of other bodies whose
activities relate to the site, including "the representative of an organization whose main activity
is the preservation of the memory of Meir Dizengoff and the origins of the first Hebrew city."
The law also states that the State Archivist will appoint the body that will oversee the site,
through an appropriate executive process.
Other Perspectives 201
