Shmulik Groag – Architect (Bimkom – Planning & Architecture Group).
There are dilemmas embedded in this project for Lifta. Is it going to be a symbolic site or a site of return? Alternative planning. Who are the clients? Liftah returnees or Israelis. Liftah is at the entrance to Jerusalem . The conservation and preservation of memory are vital. For example, Lubyah was erased and even mountains and forest ranges and other physical aspects were changed on maps. Lubya is near Kibbutz Lavie. There was total erasure in 1960 – “Cleansing the Land” operation with the JNF – 100 villages were cleared, also Latrun and the Golan Heights , replaced by the Master Plan. All this highlighted by architectural differences of materials and how the homes looked being more important than the people and what they needed.
The Israelis have simply mentioned the historical connection with biblical times, but have completely ignored Palestinian ownership. The Golani Museum for the 21 soldiers killed in 1948 also ignores the Palestinian dispossessed and killed. The McDonald’s site nearby adds to the picture.
There should be no more hidden secrets of history. The Israeli Government refuses to debate the Right of Return. So should Liftah be a deliberately temporary memorial or museum? Memory is about geographical control of the land and the conflict.