Carmel City
| |
|---|---|
| Hebrew transcription(s) | |
| • Also spelled | Ir Karmel (unofficial) |
  Carmel City | |
| Coordinates:32°41′37″N35°02′27″E / 32.69361°N 35.04083°E /32.69361; 35.04083 | |
| 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 الكرملMadīnat al-Karmel) was a short-livedcity in theHaifa District ofIsrael, named after its location onMount Carmel.
In 2003Interior MinisterAvraham Poraz announced plans to combine several local councils.[1] The twoDruze towns ofDaliyat al-Karmel andIsfiya were merged to become onecity, initially known asDaliyat al-Karmel-Isfiya, later renamed toCarmel 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 theKadima party in order to eliminate the Kadima leadership via primaries, and cancel the merger.[4]
On 5 November 2008, theKnesset 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 separatelocal councils.
Carmel City's first and only mayor wasAkram Hasson. At the interim period between the approval of the split and new elections former generalGabi Ophir was appointed as mayor.
According to theIsrael Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Carmel City's population at the end of 2007 was 24,900, with aDruze majority, and aChristian minority.[6]
