Jerusalem: Thousands pass by Kollek's casket

From 7 a.m. Kollek’s casket was placed at Safra Square facing the Jerusalem Municipality building and thousands of visitors arrived to pay their final respects before the funeral.

Among those who arrived at the square were Kollek's widow Tamar and his children Amos and Osnat. 

The funeral will be open to the public, which are asked to arrive from 9 a.m. due to heightened security measures at the site.

Among the thousands of visitors was also former Tel Aviv Mayor Shlomo Lahat, who came to bid farewell to an esteemed colleague.

"I say goodbye to him and with a heartache, I am standing here and crying," he said. "He set an example to me and I imitated him in many ways.

"After Kollek established the Jerusalem Foundation, I established the Tel Aviv Foundation – I understood that if Teddy says that should be done, then it's important. In spite of his old age, he could have contributed to us for many more years."

Singer Ruchama Raz was also among the thousands of Jerusalemites who came to pay their last respects to the legendary mayor. She remembers performing for him at festivals and shows.

"He developed the culture in Jerusalem and gave a chance to young talents. I remember him in all my performances, he knew how to say a kind word to me."

Kollek's wife and children say goodbye (Photo: Gil Yohanan) 

Shlomit Rangini and Sima Bazalel, both municipality employees, also passed by the casket.

"He was an incredible person, very modest. When we wanted to talk to him, we would call the office and he would answer the phone. He is a man who built Jerusalem and there was no corruption during his term in office."

Left his mark across city

Michal Avivi spoke of the way Kollek cared for the handicapped and poor. "He built a lot of apartments for the handicapped and cared for all the religions in the city, which was very important. A man we could always talk to directly and I think there won't be someone like him anymore."

Teddy Kollek was Mayor of Jerusalem for 28 years, starting from 1965 when he was elected by the Rafi movement after the six day war, to lead the unified capital.

Kollek was seen as many to be mostly identified with Jerusalem. He left his mark all over the city. He was greatly responsible for the establishment of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, while he was the director-general of the prime minister's office.

He is also identified with reinforcing neighborhoods around Jerusalem, the Bell Garden, the Islamic Museum in Jerusalem, Teddy Stadium, the Malha mall, Begin road and many other projects.

Kollek also promoted the building of the new City Hall in Jerusalem, but in 1993, at the mayor's inauguration, he had lost the election to Ehud Olmert.

The Jerusalem Municipality announced that due to the funeral procession, the following streets will be closed to traffic from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Jaffa Street, Sarei Yisrael, Shezer, Herzl and King George. Public transportation will take alternate routes.

Aviram Zino contributed to this story