Beverly Hills to accept $10,000 donation from Israel

The Beverly Hills City Council voted on July 21 to accept a $10,000 donation from the State of Israel, via its Los Angeles consulate, to help fund a permanent Oct. 7 memorial. Mayor Craig Corman raised concerns about a clause that would have mandated a full refund to Israel if the project was canceled, suggesting revised language to protect the city from debt. The council agreed to reword the agreement, which will be returned to the Israeli Consulate for approval.

• The memorial, honoring victims of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, is expected to cost between $1.8 million and $2.4 million.
• The city has committed $500,000, and the Beverly Hills Community Charitable Foundation is raising additional funds, having received over $127,000 in cash donations.
• The current design, titled “Shared Light Between Us,” features a stainless steel sculpture with the names of approximately 1,200 victims, illuminated by the rising sun for 86 minutes annually on the attack's anniversary.
• City Manager Ryan Gohlich stated, “The foundation is also processing agreements with additional donors that we expect to result in approximately $510,000 of additional funding once finalized,” which includes Israel's contribution.