Globes, Guy Nardi, 18.06.2020

The Ministry of the Interior 's Geographic Committee on Wednesday submitted its recommendations on expanding the borders of the ultra-Orthodox city of Elad. According to the recommendation of the city committee, east of the region, at the expense of the intelligence council and the west, beyond the road 6, on agricultural areas of Kfar Sirkin and near the eastern neighborhoods of the city of Petah Tikva. In the surrounding authorities.

Based on the decision, the municipality of Elad from June 2017 applied to the Ministry of Interior where it sought to expand its jurisdiction and transfer territory from the area of ​​intelligence and municipal status, in response to the expected increase in the community. Following a preliminary round of discussions, the planning director proposed to add another area cell, where a plan and an area plan was previously promoted in the area of ​​Sefer Kfar Sirkin, known as "Little Sirkin" within the Southern Sharon Regional Council.

In its reasoning for the request, the municipality of Elad explains that the city considers itself as "a young and attractive ultra-Orthodox city, and wants to allow members of the ultra-Orthodox sector appropriate living conditions". In addition, the municipality notes that during the construction of the city, a summary was made that promised to increase the city. The city seeks to utilize its geographical location in close proximity to Highway 6 and its relative proximity to ultra-Orthodox populations in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak to develop regional institutions such as colleges, yeshivas, white seminars, hospitals without hospitalization and more. The desire to establish these institutions is justified by the fact that the residents of the city "do not rely on private vehicles" and therefore it is important that such institutions be short-term.

The Boundary Committee, headed by Gabriel Maimon, Director General of the Interior Ministry in 2009-2011, decided to transfer to Elad 2,230 dunams of the Territory of the Modi'in Regional Council and another 874 dunams of the Territory of the Southern Hasharon Regional Council, including areas currently cultivated by Karkir farmers.

The committee's decision to annex the area west of Highway 6 recognizes the complexity of crossing national roads and the railroad, but it is assumed that the connection to Sirkin South will contribute to the Elad railway station's association with the city's future jurisdiction. Another advantage the annexation idea thinkers have found is that in Sirkin South, the density of 15 units per acre can be reached, while the allowable density level is only 10 units per acre.

It should be noted that the Society for the Protection of Nature supported the overcrowding of the existing city and its expansion towards the west: West of town. " The IDF also notes that there are many cities in the country that are crossed by roads, such as Netanya, Hadera, Herzliya and Haifa, and that the annexation of the Little Sirkin area is no different from these examples.

Ministry of Interior response: "The Geographical Center has concluded its discussions on boundary changes between the Elad, Intelligence, Southern Sharon and Petah Tikva authorities in a number of areas. The committee's report was distributed to the relevant local authorities for the purpose of taking their position on the committee's recommendations. The recommendations report will then be submitted to the Director General of the Interior Ministry and the Minister of the Interior for a decision on the matter. "

Elad spokesman's response: "At this time, we are not addressing it because we have not yet made a decision."

Oshrat Gani Gonen, head of the Southern Sharon Regional Council, sees during the open-space attack: At a given moment, we are facing construction plans that threaten to eradicate the recent green lungs and agricultural settlement in the center.

Reaction to the response of Roy Sa'ar, chairman of the Kfar Sirkin Committee: "This whole story of the Geographical Committee's spark has come as a surprise to us. This is a committee that was established long ago and previously talked about cylindrical space. About a year ago, its mandate was expanded to include Sirkin South. We assumed that after the elections, the committee's discussions would continue but we did not expect them to make a decision. The decision was seen as an esoteric option. First of all, there is a huge problem of continuity here. This is an area that is 4.5 km away from Elad Air Line. In order to reach this area you have to cross Highway 6, Route 444, Route 471, the railroad, the gas line infrastructure, the high voltage line and only then you reach the neighborhood. It does not make sense / certainly not for residents like Elad City who are in a very low socioeconomic section. Most people there do not have any vehicles at all. Setting up a neighborhood like this by a weak city at its base is a very complicated procedure. "

Fatah Municipality says it opposes Elad West's expansion proposal: "The Border Committee on behalf of the Interior Ministry has been managing the issue between the cities of Rosh HaAyin, Elad and South Hasharon - for years, when Elad initially sought additional land for expansion near Rosh Ha'ayin. Environmental organizations opposed this, and the alternative requested by the Elad city administration is near the South Sharon Regional Council, near Highway 6. Of course, South Sharon also opposed the Petah Tikva municipality on the grounds that Elad should be expanded in the direction of Rosh Ha'ayin and maintain the territorial continuum. It should be noted that the alternative recommended by the committee would cut off the territorial continuum between Elad and the planned expansion. Petah Tikva Mayor Rami Greenberg opposes the move, as proposed by the Border Commission, and will use the tools at his disposal so that the extension is near Rosh Ha'ayin.