Carmel City

Carmel City

עִיר הַכַּרְמֶל‎
مدينة الكرمل
Carmel City עִיר הַכַּרְמֶל‎; مدينة الكرمل;
City
Hebrew transcription(s)
• Also spelled	Ir Karmel (unofficial)
	Carmel City
	Coordinates: 32°41′37″N 35°02′27″E / 32.69361°N 35.04083°E
District	Haifa
Founded	2003
Disestablished	2008
Government
• Mayor	Dr. Akram Hasson
Area
• Total	15,561 dunams (15.561 km2 or 6.008 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	24,900
• Density	1,600/km2 (4,100/sq mi)

Carmel City (Hebrew: עִיר הַכַּרְמֶל, Ir HaKarmel; Arabic: مدينة الكرمل Madīnat al-Karmel) was a short-lived city in the Haifa District of Israel, named after its location on Mount Carmel.

History

In 2003 Interior Minister Avraham Poraz announced plans to combine several local councils.^[1] The two Druze towns of Daliyat al-Karmel and Isfiya were merged to become one city, initially known as Daliyat al-Karmel-Isfiya, later renamed to Carmel City in 2005.^[2]

However, the merger was opposed by many residents.^[3] Residents did not adopt the new city, instead continued to refer to themselves as being from Daliyat al-Karmel or Isfiya.^[1] The most vocal opposition was from Isfiya, and in February 2008 residents announced their intention to join the Kadima party in order to eliminate the Kadima leadership via primaries, and cancel the merger.^[4]

On 5 November 2008, the Knesset approved the cancellation of the merger before the 2008 municipal elections on 11 November,^[5] although the separation only took effect on 1 December 2008, and new elections were held in June 2009. The two original towns returned to being separate local councils.

Politics

Carmel City's first and only mayor was Akram Hasson. At the interim period between the approval of the split and new elections former general Gabi Ophir was appointed as mayor.

Demographics

According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Carmel City's population at the end of 2007 was 24,900, with a Druze majority, and a Christian minority.^[6]