Hebrew University
Hebrew UniversityIsrael News Photo: (file)

The Municipality of Jerusalem received approval Wednesday to establish a Military School of Medicine in Jerusalem in coordination with Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem and the Hebrew University.

The Ministry of Defense, which oversees the tender, debated between locating the school of medicine at Ben-Gurion University in Be'er Sheva or at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Mayor Barkat vigorously pursued the tender with Minister of Defense Ehud Barak, Deputy Minister of Defense Matan Vilnai and the Hadassah University Medical Center, to bring the school to Jerusalem.

The opening of the Military School of Medicine in Jerusalem follows Barkat's vision to strengthen the presence of youth in Jerusalem, as well as the Health and Life Sciences business cluster that he is advancing with the help of Harvard Professor Michael Porter, his office said in a statement.

“The Military School of Medicine will contribute to the advancement and development of the city and helps the rehabilitation of Jerusalem's competitiveness in the global economy. Only Jerusalem can offer both the Hebrew University and Hadassah University Medical Center – both internationally renowned institutions,” Barkat said. “This is also a step forward in the fight against negative migration from the city by expanding the number of high-quality students who are studying in Jerusalem.”

Barkat called Nancy Falchuk, president of Hadassah with his congratulations and thanks for her continued work in rebuilding and strengthening Jerusalem.