Carmel City

Carmel City
Hebrew transcription(s)
– Hebrew	עִיר הַכַּרְמֶל
– Also spelled	Ir Karmel (unofficial)
Arabic transcription(s)
– Arabic	مدينة الكرمل
Carmel City
Coordinates: 32°41′37″N 35°02′27″E / 32.69361°N 35.04083°E / 32.69361; 35.04083Coordinates: 32°41′37″N 35°02′27″E / 32.69361°N 35.04083°E / 32.69361; 35.04083
District	Haifa
Founded	2003
Government
– Type	City (from 2003)
– Mayor	Dr. Akram Hasson
Area
– Total	15,561 dunams (15.6 km2 / 6 sq mi)
Population (2007)
– Total	24,900

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. In 2003, the two Druze towns Daliyat al-Karmel and Isfiya were merged to become one city, initially known as Daliyat al-Karmel-Isfiya, and renamed to Carmel City in 2005.^[1] The merger was cancelled in 2008, and the two original towns returned to being separate local councils.

Carmel City's first and only mayor was Dr. Akram Hasson. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Carmel City's population at the end of 2007 was 24,900.^[2]

Opposition to the merger and disbandment

Since its inception, the merger was opposed by residents of both Daliyat al-Karmel and Isfiya. The most vocal opposition over the years has been from Isfiya, and in February 2008, the residents announced their intention to join the Kadima party in order to eliminate the Kadima leadership via primaries, and cancel the merger.^[3]

On 5 November 2008, the Knesset approved the cancellation of the merger before the 2008 municipal elections on 11 November,^[4] although the separation only took effect on 1 December 2008, and new elections were held in June 2009.

See also

• List of Arab localities in Israel

References

1. ^ Zaydan, Rami (June 2008). "Unification of Local Authorities - What For?". University of Haifa – The Center for Public Management and Policy. http://cpmp.hevra.haifa.ac.il/admin/uploads/files/zeedan%20LAs%20union.pdf. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
2. ^ "Table 3 - Population of Localities Numbering Above 1,000 Residents and Other Rural Population". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. 2008-06-30. http://www.cbs.gov.il/population/new_2009/table3.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-18. 
3. ^ Karni, Yuval (2008-02-13). "The Druze Threaten: We Will Obliterate the Ministers of Kadima" (in Hebrew). Yedioth Ahronoth. pp. 2. 
4. ^ Meranda, Amnon (2008-11-05). "MKs Cry Racism 'On Obama Election Day'". Ynetnews. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3618262,00.html. Retrieved 2008-11-05.