In recent days, amid Operation “Roaring Lion” and repeated sirens across Jerusalem and other parts of Israel following missile fire from Iran, the tunnel at Sacher Park has repeatedly filled with residents and passersby seeking immediate shelter from the threat of interception debris.
Dozens of people crowd into the tunnel during alerts – families, young people and pedestrians. Some stand tightly packed, others sit along the walls, checking their phones or exchanging quiet glances as they wait for the siren to end. Within moments, Sacher Park – usually associated with picnics, barbecues, sports and open-air gatherings – transforms into an improvised shelter. It is the largest public park in central Jerusalem, covering about 163 dunams (around 40 acres), established in the 1960s near Nahlaot and the government district.
Why does the Sacher Park tunnel become a shelter during sirens?
The choice is not accidental. In an open space like Sacher Park, where no protected rooms are available, a covered underground structure provides relative protection from shrapnel and interception debris – a major risk even when interceptions are successful. Beyond safety, a clear social-psychological dimension emerges: people do not just seek cover, they gather together, exchange glances and create a temporary sense of security. Within minutes, the tunnel becomes not just a passageway, but a shared urban refuge.
