Jerusalem is not just history,politics,conflict and religion - Sometimes we need mother nature to remind us what is really important in life... Few days ago it was the white snow which covered the city for a couple of days, but Jerusalem also has a hidden aspect of nature- the Gazelle Valley which is located inside the city,between several closing neihborhoods all around it. The area got it's name thanks to a small flock of gazelles which lives there for decades.


Till recently there was a fierce fight between the municipality, which wanted to develope the area, and the residents and green organisations which strugelled to keep it as it is -
After a battle that lasted for years, the residents finally emerged victorious. The municipality scrapped the construction plan and designated the valley as an open park in which the gazelles could continue to flourish. To this day, this is considered one of the most important victories Israel's environmental movement has ever won.


But it wasn't over yet: several Kibbutzim in the area also insisted that they had legal rights to the land and refused to vacate it - yesterday Jerusalem Magistrate's Court rejected the kibbutzim's claim, so the gazelles can continue to live there their quiet life.






http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-court-rules-to-protect-jerusalem-s-gazelle-valley-1.416717


Note: the videos are taken from a window of a building near by, what can indicate how the valley is actually inside the city.