In and around Jerusalem
- Home
- Summary of walks in Jerusalem
- The City of David
- An introduction to the Old City
- The Jerusalem Archaeological Park, Davidson Center and the Western Wall
- On the Temple Mount
- The Jewish Quarter - community building, destruction and renewal
- The northern Rampart of the Old City wall and the Via Dolorosa
- Mount Zion via the southern rampart of the Old City wall
- Nachla'ot and Mahane Yehuda Market ('the Shuk")
- Teddy Kollek - a great builder of Jerusalem
- Ein Kerem and its artisans via the Jerusalem Forest
- Yemin Moshe to Nahalat Shivah
- Givat Ram - birds, roses, the Supreme Court and Knesset
- The German Colony and Liberty Bell Park
- Jerusalem during the British Mandate - from Mamilla Mall to the First Station
- Pioneers of modern Jerusalem - Dr. Ticho, Ben-Yehuda and Rav Kook - in the city center
- The Sherover and Haas Promenades and water supply system for Second Temple Jerusalem
- The haredi neighborhoods of Zikhron Moshe and Meah She'arim
- The gorgeous Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
- Nature walk: the Cedar Trail in the Jerusalem Forest.
- Nature walk: Gazelle Valley Park
- The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens
- A countryside hike on the Gazelle Trail in the Ramot Forest
- Mount Scopus - its university, botanical garden and lookout points
- The Mei Neftoah (Lifta) Nature Reserve and Arazim Valley Park
- The Judean Mountains (west of Jerusalem) - Summary of hikes and overview
- The Shvil Hamaayanot and Yad Kennedy memorial
- To Ein Kerem via Ein Hindak and the Ein Kerem National Park
- The springs of Emeq Refaim
- From Tzomet Ora (near Hadassah-Ein Karem) to the springs of Ein Lavan and Mayan Itamar in Emeq Refaim
- Ancient agriculture in Sataf
- The unusual cave formations in Nahal Halilim
- To Tzuba Spring and the crusader ruins of "Belmont"
- To Ein Hindak and Ein Bichura in the Sataf Reserve
- The spring of Ein Kobi and the luscious ravine of Nahal Kobi in the Begin Forest
- The beautiful Nahal Katlav
- Outpost 21 via the historic Burma Road
- Hiking above Nahal Sorek
- The spring of Ein Hod and Crusader castle at Hurvat Beit Itab
- Derech HaKaiser (The Caesar's Way) and overlook of Nahal Zanuach
- Castel National Park
- HaHamisha Forest and visit to the Harel Brigade Monument In Har Adar
- Hiking or biking around Har Eitan
- The HaHamisha Forest and Ein Kfira spring
- IN THE SHEFELAH (LOWLANDS) - Summary of Hikes and Overview
- A hike to Tel Azeka
- A walk to the ruins of Qeiyafa - Goliath, will you please stop hollering?
- Tel Tzafit and the Philistines
- Neot Kedumim and agriculture in ancient Israel
- A circular hike around Givat Hatourmusim (Hill of Lupins)/ Tel Socho
- Hiking in the Bet Guvrin-Maresha National Park
- The ancient synagogue at Um el-Umdan, Sher Hill, and the Maccabees of Modi'in
- Midras, Itri and the Bar Kochba Revolt
- Burgin
- The Judean Desert, the Dead Sea, and the Jordan Valley - Introduction, summary of hikes, and attractions
- Attractions from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, including Ma'ale Adumim
- A nature walk In the wadis of Maale Adumim
- Ein Prat Nature Reserve
- Ein Mabu'a
- Ein Qelt
- Nahal Og
- Qumran
- Enot Tsukim/(Ein Feshkha for swimming and nature stroll
- The Botanical Gardens in Kibbutz Ein Gedi
- Nahal David, Ein Gedi Spring and ancient synagogue at Ein Gedi
- Ein Gedi - Nahal Arugot
- Along the Jordan Valley
- Qasr el Yahud National Park
- South of Jerusalem - Herodium, Gush Etzion Springs and Nahal Tekoa
- North of Jerusalem - Nebi Samuel, Beth El, and Shilo
- Fun family cycling in the Judean Mountains, Shefelah and Judean Desert
- From the First Station to Ein Lavan and Ein Haniya
- A desert ride around Ma'ale Adumim
- The Arazim bicycle trail from Arazim Valley Park
- Spectacular views from the Aminidav Forest and Yad Kennnedy
- The Burma Road in the Shefela
- From Tzafririm to the ruins of Itri in the Adulum Park - a village frozen in time
- In Adulam Park - views, lupins and tels
- Britannia Park and Tel Azeka
- A ride around Har Eitan
- Horseback riding close to Jerusalem
- Outdoor swimming in spring-fed pools and swimming pools in and around Jerusalem
- The Zippori Center in the Jerusalem Forest
- The "Country Club "in Ma'ale Adumim, the most beautiful city in Israel
- Ein Hemed National Park (Aqua Bella) - swimming, picnicking and fortified Crusader home
- The Palm Pool at Ein Prat
- The artesian pool at Ein Mabu'a
- The Sport's Club at Ramat Rachel
- Mesilat Zion swimming pool
- Ein Lavan
- The spring-fed pool of Ein Haniya
- Swimming in Shoresh in the Judean Mountains
- The swimming pool at Kibbutz Almog close to the Dead Sea
- Swimming at Enot Tsukim/ Ein Feshkha by the Dead Sea
- A natural-style rock pool by Mevo'ot Yericho in the Jordan Valley
- The spring pool in the Mei Neftoa (Lifta) Nature Reserve close to the Central Bus Station
- The kids pool at Rechelim
- A timeline of Jerusalem and list of essays on this website
- Outdoor trips suitable for a stroller or wheelchair
- Trees, bushes and flowers of the Desert
- Contact Us
Givat ram - BIRDS, ROSES, the knesset AND SUPREME COURT
This circular walk should be fun for all ages. It includes the Jerusalem Bird Observatory, the Rose Garden, the menorah outside the Knesset, the Supreme Court building, and the Biblical displays on the roof of Cinema City, including Noah's ark. Free tours of the Supreme Court building and the Knesset are available in English. After the walk consider visiting one of the nearby museums - the Israel Museum and Shrine of the Book, the Bible Lands Museum, or the Bloomfield Science Museum.
Distance: 2¼ Km
Time: About 1 hour of walking, but you may need half a day if including tours, and a complete day if visiting nearby museums
Type of walk: Circular
Difficulty: An easy walk on paved roads suitable for a wheelchair and stroller.
Starting point: Corner of Sderot Yitchak Rabin and Yoel Zusman St. by Cinema City 
.
Public transport: Cinema City is served by many buses. Enter "Cinema City Jerusalem" into Moovit.
Driving directions and parking: Enter "Cinema City" into Waze. There is paid underground parking at Cinema City. The entrance to חניון הלאום is from Sderot Yitchak Rabin.
Consider making this an educational visit for your family. A question for the older kids: What are the functions and inter-relationships between the three branches of the Israeli government - the Knesset, the government administration, and the judiciary? And for the adults! In what ways does the Supreme Court in Israel differ from that of other countries you may be familiar with? A tour in English of the Supreme Court will help you with that one. This free tour takes place only once a day. So, plan to be inside the entrance of the Supreme Court before 12.00 PM (see below). Our Background discussion may also be helpful. And to help you complete the topic - there are free tours of the Knesset in English several times a day.
BACKGROUND
ISRAEL'S SUPREME COURT - A PARADIGM OF JUSTICE OR A JUDICIAL DICTATORSHIP?
In 1949, after the War of Independence, the government of David Ben-Gurion declared that Jerusalem would become the capital of the new State of Israel and announced its intention to move government ministries and institutions to Jerusalem, and specifically to Givat Ram. This hill formerly belonged to the Arab village of Sheikh Badr and was taken over by the Haganah during the War of Independence. It had been used as an assembly point for the officers of the Gadna Youth Battalion and had been given the name Givat (Hill of) Ram, Ram being an acronym for the Hebrew words rikuz mefakdim (gathering of commanders).
This hill has three ridges. One ridge was designated as a campus for the Hebrew University, another for cultural institutions, such as the Israel Museum, and the third was assigned to the government.
The Torah proclaims the supreme value of justice and that it should be the foundation of a Jewish state: "Justice, justice shall you pursue, so that you will live and take possession of the land that the Lord your God gives you” (Deut 16:20). Understandably, therefore, the practice of justice has been placed on a very high pedestal in Israel and this is reflected in the magnificence and symbolism of its Supreme Court building.
But what paradigm of justice should Israel's Supreme Court practice? Should it be that of the Bible and its accompanying oral traditions as developed by Judaism over thousands of years? Or perhaps it should be the liberal and humanistic traditions developed in Christian Europe over the last two millennia, traditions very much based on human rights? And if the latter - how do Zionism and the "Jewishness" of the state fit in? And how does one balance the rights of individuals versus the very real security issues the state confronts on a regular basis?
There is no consensus on these issues in Israel. Neither does Israel have a secular constitution, although it does have a collection of Basic Laws that serve a similar purpose. The bottom line is that justice in this country is far from being a simple matter!
Israel's Supreme Court functions as the country's highest court of appeals. It also acts as the High Court of Justice (Bet Mishpat Gavoha LeTzedek, more commonly known by its acronym "Bagatz" (בג"ץ). In this role, the Supreme Court handles petitions from citizens and organizations regarding the legality of decisions of State authorities, and even the constitutionality of laws enacted by the Knesset. This very open policy means that the Supreme Court is extremely busy - about 10,000 cases a year compared to about 80 cases a year for the US Supreme Court!
About 20% of the court's activities are in the political arena, and the Supreme Court has established itself as Israel's most powerful institution with the ability to override the Knesset, the cabinet, the military, the civil administration for the territories, the Ministry of Religious Affairs – everybody in fact.
How did this strange situation arise? In 1992, former Supreme Court justice Aharon Barak put together a constitution for Israel based on two laws that were passed by the Knesset - "Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty" and "Basic Law: Freedom of Occupation". These two laws were passed by 27% and 19% of Israel's legislature respectively and never mentioned the word "constitution" or the notion of judicial review. However, three years later the Supreme Court held that these two Basic Laws constituted Israel's new "constitution" and that any new Knesset law would be subject to judicial review based on these Basic Laws. In effect, the Supreme Court had accomplished a judicial coup d'etat at the expense of the government. Moreover, the judges of the Supreme Court are not elected democratically but appointed by a selection committee comprised of 2 government ministers, 2 members of the Knesset, 3 current Supreme Court justices, and 2 representatives of the Bar Association. Elected officials are therefore a minority of this committee. In effect, the judicial system elects itself, although recently the Government has established more oversite over the election process.
The reality is that this system has some advantages. It can dilute to some extent the stranglehold the ultra-religious can have over the religious life of the State as result of their political power. However, it can also stymie the function of the Knesset. Issues of settlement in the territories and illegal immigration, for example, have become subject to the concept of human rights rather the will of elected representatives. Depending on the activism of the Court and the direction of the government, it is a system designed for controversy.
Right-wing parties in the government in particular have found dealing with the Supreme Court in matters related to settlement in Judea and Samaria problematic. The Supreme Court holds that Judea and Samaria are "occupied territory" and its job is to protect the indigenous population. The right-wing parties, on the other hand, hold that Judea and Samaria are "disputed territories" and are keen to build settlements on state-owned lands. To direct the power of the Supreme Court, the Knesset has recently passed a new "Basic law" that emphasizes the "Jewishness" of the state. Judicial disputes regarding land matters in Judea and Samaria have also been transferred from the Supreme Court to lower courts more sympathetic to Jewish settlement. Plus, new (and highly controversial) laws may be brought to the Knesset to curb the ability of the Supreme Court to override Knesset decisions.
So, is the Israeli Supreme Court a judicial dictatorship or a shining light to the nations of the world on matters of justice? One could perhaps say that it is both. Having said this, the decisions of the Supreme Court are highly respected in the country and its dictatorial powers make it the only institution with the ability to dig the country out of political impasses, particularly in matters related to the interaction between religion and the state.
Two interesting facts about the judicial system in Israel. Israel does not use a jury system but a court of judges, usually three, and sometimes more. Also, prisoners are not handcuffed during their trial. Why is this so? Jews tend to be very expressive with their hands, and it was thought that handcuffs would limit the ability of prisoners to express themselves!
The walk:
- From Cinema City, cross Sderot Yitzhak Rabin on the pedestrian crossing and turn left. Continue under the bridge and after a few minute's turn right onto James A De Rothschild St. The back of the Supreme Court building is on your right.
- Shortly on your left is a memorial garden to the Palmach and Har’el Brigade
. The recorded explanation in Hebrew or English is worth listening to.
The Har’el Brigade was one of three IDF (Israel Defense Force) brigades formed from the Palmach after the declaration of the state. Under the command of Yitzhak Rabin it fought tough battles in the Jerusalem corridor and Jerusalem during the War of Independence. About a third of the brigade lost their lives. (See also the essay on "Israel's War of Independence" on the web page "Castel National Heritage Park").
- Continue along Rothschild St. Just before the barricade, turn into the alley on your left. If you are stopped by a Knesset security guard, tell him you are heading to the Bird Observatory and you will have no problem proceeding. From the alley, take the first turning on the left to the Jerusalem Bird Observatory
.
You will soon see two wooden buildings on your right and a visitor center on your left. The wooden buildings overlook a pool and uncultivated land where birds alight. One of the buildings has benches conveniently set up for bird-watching. The Visitor Center is open Sunday to Thursday 9.00 AM-3.00 PM.
Israel is a land bridge connecting Europe, Asia and Africa. Because of this, a large variety of migratory birds pass through the country twice a year. This bird observatory is an academic project that tags migratory birds entering the observatory. In this way, together with the international community, their flight paths can be determined.
- When you have had your fill of bird watching, proceed to the Wohl Rose Garden by turning right after exiting the bird-watching building and then left up the steps just before the cemetery. Turn left at the top of the stairway onto Rothschild St. and very shortly there is a sign to the Wohl Rose Garden
on your right. (If you have a mobility problem, retrace your steps back to Rothschild St. and the Wohl Rose Garden is on your left).
- Enter the park by the walkway on the left. At the intersection with a map sign continue straight ahead and this will take you to a pretty Ornamental Lake with benches around it.
- From this point, there are numerous small gardens that can be explored. My favorite is the Japanese garden
, which is above the lake waterfall. Go up the steps to the right of the pool and behind the brick wall to a grass lawn, and shortly ahead are steps that lead down to the Japanese garden. This secluded spot with its waterfalls and sound of running water is a delight for relaxing or picnicking. Continue discovering in the gardens. Depending on the season, don’t forget the roses. The park contains over 400 species of roses from around the world.
- To exit the park, make your way back to the lake, and from here there is a path with steps leading down to the Knesset building. (For wheelchair and stroller users look at the map of the garden which indicates how to avoid the steps. Plus, the final two sets of steps on this path have ramps).
- You are now back on Rothschild St. Turn left towards the bronze menorah
, which is a short distance on your left. You may meet a security guard as you turn left, but state your destination and you will have no problem proceeding.
The menorah was one of the vessels in the Temple and it is now the symbol of the State of Israel. The design of this menorah accords with the relief on the Arch of Titus in Rome that illustrates Second Temple treasures captured by the Romans during the Great Revolt of the Jews.
The initiative for this project came from Lord Edwin Samuel who presented this gift to the Knesset. He was the son of Herbert Samuel, the first British High Commissioner to Palestine. The project was financed by donations from the United Kingdom and constructed by the Anglo-Jewish artist Benno Elkan. Carvings on its branches and stem depict events from the Bible and later Jewish history. These include (from the top left to the right) – Isaiah and his vision of the End of Days, Ezra the Scribe reading the Torah, David and Goliath, Moses during the battle with Amalek, Hillel the Elder teaching all of the Torah on one leg, and Jeremiah bewailing the wickedness of Israel. Above the pedestal and moving upwards you will see – Pioneers, Hear O Israel, the Warsaw Ghetto revolt, Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones, two women of the Bible (Rachel weeping for her children and Ruth the Moabite), the tablets of the Covenant, and again Moses during the battle with Amalek. (Note: this is not a complete list of all the illustrations).
- Opposite the menorah is the Knesset Building
, and this can be visited. See below for admission details.
- Retrace your steps and continue further to the traffic circle on Eliezer Kaplan St.
[This is a convenient point on Eliezer Kaplan St for visiting the Israel Museum, Bible Lands Museum and Science Museum, as they are all within a short bus ride and even walking distance from here. Turn left on Eliezer Kaplan St. if walking to one of museums, or to the right for the nearest bus stop.]
- To continue on this walk, turn right onto Eliezer Kaplan St. You will pass the Wohl Rose Garden on your right and government buildings on your left, and soon you will come to Sha'are Mishpat St. on your right leading to the Supreme Court
. The building is open to the public. You can view it on your own using the brochure provided. However, a guided tour is very helpful to fully appreciate the symbolism of its architecture. See below for admission details.
Israel's Supreme Court was housed in Jerusalem's Russian Compound from 1948 until 1992. Eight years before it opened in Givat Ramat in 1992, Dorothy de Rothschild suggested that a permanent home be constructed for the Supreme Court using funds from the Rothschild Foundation. She felt that this would be an appropriate way to commemorate the work her late husband James de Rothschild had done for Israel. He had dreamed of such a project and even set aside funds for it. An architectural competition was held and this was won by a brother and sister architectural team.
The building they designed has three main sections: a square library wing containing a round courtyard with a copper-clad pyramid, a rectangular administrative wing with judges' chambers arrayed around a cloistered courtyard, and a wing containing five courtrooms extending like fingers from a great main hall.
Writing in the New York Times, Paul Goldberg calls this “Israel’s finest public building,” and writes further: “There is no clear front door and no simple pattern to the organization. The building cannot be described solely as long, or solely as rounded, or as being arranged around a series of courtyards, though from certain angles, like the elephant described by the blind man, it could be thought to be any one of these." The building is rich in symbolism and is also designed to bring together architectural elements from Jerusalem's past.
- Exit the Supreme Court and turn right onto Yoel Zusman St. At the corner of Sderot Yitchak Rabin and Yoel Zusman St. is a memorial to Agranet, a former President of the Supreme Court.
- Cross the road to Cinema City
. The front entrance is straight ahead of you.The mall contains a large selection of stores, kosher cafes and restaurants. If you have kids with you, and perhaps even if you don't, make your way to the roof. A corridor off the central pool is marked "Dynamic Theater/Land of Bible/Visitor Center" and there is an escalator and elevator from here to the roof. The roof is open from 10.00 AM-5.00 PM and contains very realistic displays of Noah's ark and other Biblical scenes, with the corresponding Torah verses in Hebrew and English.
Further details about the Knesset and Supreme Court:
The Knesset. The building can be toured from Sunday to Thursday in the following languages: Hebrew, Arabic, English, French, Spanish, German, Russian and Amharic. The tour lasts about an hour and there is no charge. Tours in English are at 8.30 AM, 12.00 PM and 2.00 PM. There are works by Chagall displayed on the way to the Knesset foyer. Be aware of the Knesset dress code as it is enforced. You will not be allowed entrance if you are over 14 years of age and wearing shorts, ¾ pants, sleeveless shirts, shirts with political slogans, belly shirts, or flip-flops. Allow about ½ hour before the tour for the entry process. You will need a passport or Israeli ID to enter.
The Supreme Court can be toured Sunday to Thursday, except on days when special ceremonies are taking place. No advanced reservation is required. There are free guided tours in Hebrew at 11.00 AM and in English at 12.00 PM. The guided tour takes about an hour and is valuable not only in pointing out the symbolism of the building (pick up an English brochure if you want more on this), but also in explaining how the court functions within Israel's legal system, and how the Supreme Court differs from those of other countries. Time may also be allotted for questions. Their phone number is (02) 675-9612.
NEARBY PLACES OF INTEREST:
Israel Museum and Shrine of the Book is at 11 Ruppin Boulevard. It is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10.00 AM- 5.00 PM, Tuesday 4.00 PM- 9.00 PM (in August 10.00 AM-9.00 PM), Friday and holiday eves 10.00 AM-2.00 PM, and Saturday and holidays 10.00 AM-5.00 PM. Admission for adults is 54 NIS, students 39 NIS, children 5-17 years 27 NIS (but free on Tuesday and Saturday), and senior citizens 27 NIS. The admission charge includes an audio guide. Repeat visit within 3 months - 27 NIS. Free parking is available but may be limited. Folding chairs and wheelchairs are available. Exhibits are in the categories of Jewish Art and Life, Archeology, Art, Family Activities. There is also a model of Jerusalem in 2nd Temple times, and of course the Shrine of the Book and its Dead Sea scrolls exhibit. An excellent way to appreciate what this museum has to offer is to do a guided tour. They are offered in English and are free with admission.: Archeology 11 AM, Jewish Art and Life 1.30 PM, Synagogue Route 3.00 PM, Shrine of the Book and model of Jerusalem 3.00 PM. The museum has a café, and meat and dairy restaurants – all kosher. Their phone number is (02) 670-8811.
Bible Lands Museum is at 21 Shmuel Stefan Wise St., Museum Row. This museum claims to be the only museum of its kind in the world to bring to life the civilizations of the Ancient Near East from the dawn of civilization to the early Christian era. It is open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:30 AM-5:30 PM, Wednesday 9:30 AM-9:30 PM, Friday, Saturday, holiday eves 10.00 AM-2.00 PM. It is closed on Jewish holidays. Adults 44 NIS, student and child 22 NIS (but free to children under 18 on Saturday and Wednesday afternoons), Israeli senior citizens 20 NIS (10 NIS on Tuesdays), Jerusalem residents with a Yerushalmi card 32 NIS, and children under 5 free. Guided tours are free with museum admission (and should be considered for at least the first visit): Sunday in English 10:30 AM, and in Hebrew 11:00 AM. There is an additional tour on Wednesdays in English at 5:30 PM, Hebrew 6.00 PM, and on Saturday in Hebrew at 11:30 AM. There are also lectures on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 PM that are free with admission. The museum has a café. Their phone number is (02) 561-1066.
Bloomfield Science Museum at 3 Museum Boulevard is a quality science museum that will keep your family well occupied. Some free parking is available at the Museum’s parking lot and there is also paid parking on the street. It is open Monday to Thursday 10.00 AM-6.00 PM, Friday 10.00 AM-2.00 PM, and Saturday 10.00 AM-5.00 PM. Closed on Sundays. Adults 45 NIS, children 45 NIS, children under 5 free, adults with a “Yerushalmi” card 36 NIS, families (parents plus children under 18) 160 NIS, and senior citizens 22.5 NIS. Consider an annual subscription to the museum as it provides free entrance to some 300 participating science museums around the world. Their phone number is (02) 654-4888.
Map of the Rose Garden.
Noah's Ark on the roof of Cinema City is a treat for kids!
You may luck out and see an exotic bird at the Jerusalem Bird Sanctuary. This is a Kingfisher.
The Japanese Garden is one of several international gardens in the Rose Garden. With the sound of running water in the background, it's a great place to relax or picnic .
The Ornamental Lake at the Wohl Rose Garden.
The Menorah outside the Knesset building with its pictorial display of Jewish history.
