Carmel City
Encyclopedia
Carmel City 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.
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.
party in order to eliminate the Kadima leadership via primaries, and cancel the merger.
On 5 November 2008, the Knesset
approved the cancellation of the merger before the 2008 municipal elections on 11 November, although the separation only took effect on 1 December 2008, and new elections were held in June 2009.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in the Haifa District
Haifa District
Haifa District is an administrative district surrounding the city of Haifa, Israel. The district is one of six administrative districts of Israel, and its capital is Haifa...
of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, named after its location on Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel ; , Kármēlos; , Kurmul or جبل مار إلياس Jabal Mar Elyas 'Mount Saint Elias') is a coastal mountain range in northern Israel stretching from the Mediterranean Sea towards the southeast. Archaeologists have discovered ancient wine and oil presses at various locations on Mt. Carmel...
. In 2003, the two Druze
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
towns Daliyat al-Karmel
Daliyat al-Karmel
Daliyat al-Karmel is a Druze local council in the North District of Israel, located around 20 km southeast of Haifa.-History:The town was given local council status in 1951. However, in 2003 it was merged with nearby Isfiya to create Carmel City...
and Isfiya
Isfiya
Isfiya , also known as Ussefiya, is a Druze village and local council in northern Israel. Located on Mount Carmel, it is part of Haifa District. In 2009 it had a population of 25,400. In 2003, the local council was merged with nearby Daliyat al-Karmel to form Carmel City...
were merged to become one city
City council (Israel)
A City council is the official designation of a city within Israel's system of local government.City council status may be granted by the Interior Minister to a municipality, usually a local council, whose population surpasses 20,000 and whose character is urban, defined as having areas zoned for...
, initially known as Daliyat al-Karmel-Isfiya, and renamed to Carmel City in 2005.
The merger was cancelled in 2008, and the two original towns returned to being separate local councils
Local council (Israel)
Local councils are one of the three types of local government found in Israel, with the other two being cities and regional councils. As of 2003, there were 144 local councils in Israel, these being settlements which pass a minimum threshold enough to justify their operations as independent...
.
Carmel City's first and only mayor was Dr. Akram Hasson. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics
Israel Central Bureau of Statistics
The Israel Central Bureau of Statistics , abbreviated CBS, is an Israeli government office established in 1949 to carry out research and publish statistical data on all aspects of Israeli life, including population, society, economy, industry, education and physical infrastructure.It is headed by a...
(CBS), Carmel City's population at the end of 2007 was 24,900.
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 KadimaKadima
Kadima is a centrist and liberal political party in Israel. It was established on 24 November 2005 by moderates from Likud largely to support the issue of Ariel Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan, and was soon joined by like-minded Labor politicians...
party in order to eliminate the Kadima leadership via primaries, and cancel the merger.
On 5 November 2008, the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
approved the cancellation of the merger before the 2008 municipal elections on 11 November, although the separation only took effect on 1 December 2008, and new elections were held in June 2009.