International Convention Center (Jerusalem)

International Convention Center
Merkaz HaKongresim HaBeinLeumi
Binyenei HaUma
	ICC in January 2006
Location	Givat Ram, Jerusalem
Coordinates	31°47′10″N 35°12′10″E / 31.7862°N 35.2027°E
Owner	Jewish Agency for Israel
Capacity	3,104 (auditorium)
Construction
Built	1950–63
Opened	1956
Architect	Zeev Rechter
Website
	ICC.co.il

The International Convention Center (

Giv'at Ram in Jerusalem. It is the largest convention center in the Middle East.^[1]

History

Binyenei Ha'Uma was first envisioned by Alexander Ezer (who later became its managing director) and planned by architect Zeev Rechter who won the design competition in 1949.^[2]

The complex was under construction from 1950 to 1963.^[3] In 1953, it was the site of Israel's first international exhibition, the Conquest of the Desert. In 1960, the World Zionist Organization convened there.

The period of economic difficulty and austerity in the first decade of Israeli independence led to frequent disruption in construction due to lack of funds, and the project was sometimes disparagingly called Hirbet HaUma, the National Ruin.^{[citation needed]} Rechter's design was a solid structure faced in Jerusalem stone. Instead of a monumental relief by artists Joseph Zaritsky and Yitzhak Danziger as originally planned, the facade was covered with azure-coloured glass panels.

Capacity and functions

Located opposite the

Jerusalem Central Bus Station at the western entrance to town, the centre houses 27 halls capable of seating over 10,000 people, and is a member of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) and ICCA and conforms to their international standards. Its largest hall, the Menachem Ussishkin auditorium, seats 3,104. In all, 12,000 square metres of exhibit space extend over two levels and ten display areas.^[4]

Binyenei Ha'Uma is the home of the

Jerusalem International Book Fair. The trial of John Demjanjuk was held there.^[6]

Development plans

Plans are being discussed to enlarge the ICC by 30,000 square meters, doubling of the parking space, adding three office towers, commercial space and a hotel.

Cultural references

The Center serves as a historical setting in

atrocities against the Jewish prisoners.^[7]

Gallery

Jerusalem Convention Center (Binyenei HaUma) shortly after completion, circa 1960
25th
Zionist Congress
, 1960
The fourth Jerusalem book fair, in the International Convention Center, 1969. From the collections of the National Library of Israel.
International Multi-Cultural Festival with Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee, 2009
US President Barack Obama waving students after the speech, March 2013

References

^ International Convention Centre -- Binyanei Ha'Ooma, WCities Destination Guide.
^ Sliding up the Rechter Scale, Haaretz
^ "Binyanei Ha'uma history". Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
^ ICC website Archived 2007-05-12 at the Wayback Machine
^ "An International Convention Center deserving of the name". GoJerusalem.com. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
^ Jerusalem: Nightlife & the Arts Fodor's
^ Sawjer, Robert J. Frameshift. Tor, 1997, pp. 46–51.

External links

Preceded by National Indoor Arena Birmingham	Eurovision Song Contest Venue 1999	Succeeded by Globe Arena Stockholm
Preceded by Palais des Congrès Paris	Eurovision Song Contest Venue 1979	Succeeded by Congresgebouw The Hague

[1] International Convention Centre -- Binyanei Ha'Ooma, WCities Destination Guide.

[2] Sliding up the Rechter Scale, Haaretz

[3] "Binyanei Ha'uma history". Archived from the original on 2016-03-12. Retrieved 2017-10-23.

[4] ICC website Archived 2007-05-12 at the Wayback Machine

[5] "An International Convention Center deserving of the name". GoJerusalem.com. Retrieved 2010-08-06.

[6] Jerusalem: Nightlife & the Arts Fodor's

[7] Sawjer, Robert J. Frameshift. Tor, 1997, pp. 46–51.

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