Along the Bar Yehuda road, near the check-post, the Saadia stream flows leisurely towards Shemen Beach. It is almost unfathomable that in the midst of the bustle and pollution that characterizes the check-post area and Shemen Beach, a spring of pure water springs from the mountain's condenser and thanks to it a whole and unique natural world also exists. There are cities that invest a great deal of resources in order to produce a landscape similar to this through artificial water canals or an artificial lake. But in Haifa the reality is completely different. The stream interferes with the Haifa municipality and therefore it is condemned to go the opposite route, thus turning a nature reserve into a drainage channel.
A stream that is part of Haifa's history
Nahal Saadia appears in all its glory on the historical maps of the Haifa Bay documenting its landscape over the centuries. The evidence even indicates that it served as one of the earliest settlement points in the Haifa region about 3500 years ago - Tel Abu Hoam. Today this settlement point is buried under the soil of an oil exchange.
In light of all this, it is simply inconceivable that the mayor decided to simply give up on him. She can at this very moment make the opposite decision and save the stream. To make just one more small zigzag, and leave an important positive mark on the city. But she chooses not to. It is better for her to cover the nature reserve and this unique stream with a concrete and cement dress for more property taxes and more levies. It is simply a tragedy that in order to feed the shrinking budget veins of the public coffers, the mayor is ready to destroy more of Haifa's rare nature.
The wild pigs in Rehovot - the nature reserve under Rehovot
And that's actually the whole story. In order to save Nahal Saadia, all you have to do is make a decision. This is not even a brave decision, but a realistic, natural and logical decision. A decision that at once adds to Haifa a dimension of humanity and a connection to nature that the thousands of wild pigs running around in it will never be able to produce. Speaking of which, it was very important for the mayor to state in the past that we should live with those pigs and not dilute them. This is a test of our humanity. But when it comes to a potential nature reserve with rare biodiversity then of course tax revenue outweighs that humanity.
The river can be saved!
It is important to emphasize that in order to save the river there is no need to give up the construction of the industrial area. It is possible to implement some alternative creative solutions which will result in the construction rights being increased within the area on the one hand in favor of saving the nature reserve on the other. But in order to achieve this, you have to pay attention to it, work harder than usual and even make a little effort. You also need to know how to mobilize public opinion, create a lobby in front of the relevant government ministries and authorities and above all be determined.
But a municipal leadership that has not yet managed to write a proper budget, and which specializes in the PR of anti-pig fences, will probably not rise to this challenge and it's a shame.
The real lighthouses are the people and not the slogans
Eric Drobot is the guy who with his own hands recruits activists and with their help he preserves the human and natural values of Nahal Saadia for future generations. He works as a full volunteer in order to preserve a natural photographer for the city of Haifa (and he is actually a resident of Nesher). This guy, as well as other "talkative crazy people" operating in and around Haifa, are the most important assets our city has. They are the ones that pull us out of the routine of life and fixed thinking and direct our attention to amazing opportunities that we might otherwise miss out on. And so it is happening even now. This is not another random struggle but a clear wake-up call for all of us.
This coming Saturday, 13/11/21 - happening to save Nahal Saadia
The story is even sadder if we understand the value we will receive as a result of turning the area of the river into a living and pulsating reserve or at least an urban park. Because what is actually better? A well-grounded drainage channel in the heart of an industrial area, or a natural space that can be used for quality leisure, community activities and recreation?
It is true that the stream does not sparkle like the hollow heart statue placed on the Lui Promenade. And it is not as attractive as a food truck surrounded by synthetic grass at the beach in Shkomona. But nevertheless, it was expected from the one who sends the residents of Haifa to participate in a virtual discussion about combating climate change to be less synthetic in everything related to real nature.
Why don't you mention, every hour, every day, the names of the talented planners and appraisers, who planned a building on the Saadia stream, and diverted it to a canal along Bar Yehuda St.
That way it will be possible to take them to other projects.
Such success deserves to be replicated throughout the city.
Many of the streams in Israel have fallen victim to failed planning and real estate greed. The current Haifa municipality, sad to say, has repeatedly inherited disastrous situations and is forced to deal with a city that was full of hazards and destruction during the time of Yona Yahav. From the Vardia quarry in Nahal Even (isn't it important to you?) to doubling the tracks on each line The beach with fences and electricity poles every few meters. From the destruction of the Kishon with the dozens of meters high. From the destroyed and neglected market in Habiva Reich. From the lack of safe crossings over the Habana road and the neglect of the coastal neighborhoods And Bat Gachim in the huge winter floods. From the mess in the allocation of the educational buildings in the city and the neglect of dozens of outdated schools without maintenance to the area of Kibbutz Galoyot, and I believe, in the heart of the city, which looks like a quarter in Syria after battles, half abandoned and destroyed.
For all these, for all these.. Thank you Lihav Almog and the talented people they brought as consultants. All this with an infernal property tax that rose 17% in one term of Yahav. Nahal Saadia is the head of our happiness. Where was Yahav on the issue of Nahal Saadia. For 15 years he cultivated the stream. No questions asked. The answers are known, you can see them in the pictures from there. Hakan, all the hills are the green vapors will be shaved in construction. Haifa is destroying its nature, in an incredible systematic way. A cliché will come and go and later the destruction of nature will continue. And very poor planning. and crooked priorities. Zionist Zionist. spontaneous. chestnut. The next one will inherit defaults and see to it that Saadia Street is built on the stream with three office buildings and plenty of parking. That's the only way I can bring tenants to this hole.
Eyal, I don't understand all this dialect. Your obsession with Lihav is irrelevant because even mayors before him did not cultivate the place. But at the moment there is a mayor who deliberately states that the reserve will not be preserved. So come on!
A good opponent that you remember there is Nahal Saadia.
Where were you in the days of Jonah Yahav and where was he and all his predecessors?
We finally have a mayor who cares about the river and has already done and will do activities to save it.
Only not only by the municipality. There are many factors there that pollute and need a holistic treatment, which their predecessors did not think to do at all.
Sad and disgusting. Continuous neglect over the years.
Paradise of Haifa. I don't understand why Haifa's spring valley is being given up like this to disappear. 6 emanations of water. We also have the Nahal Assi with a length of 2.5 km of clean water. There we have the Shiloh dam inside the mountain at a depth of 80 meters with a little renovation it will bring a lot of tourists to Haifa. Instead an area of the stream has been prepared for Haifa's Majersa walking in clear and clean water 21 Ma'alot all year round. Come before the pearl disappears. The place is rich in fish and waterfowl
Hope the stream will be saved. Haifa Bay has already been destroyed with the formidable port that was built there. Instead of a beautiful bay view, today you see an industrialized and ugly landscape. Hope that at least we will be able to save Nahal Saadia.
Well done Yariv, you brought things as they are. And of course, kudos to Eric Drobot.
I will gladly share
It is not enough that the construction of the Carmel tunnels constitute a natural obstacle to the Saadia river, but our hopes have not yet been worked out.
I was born in Haifa 4/1950, I remember very well a class trip on foot from the 'Lasde' school (today it is the Haifa Museum) to Nahal Saadia. It was quite an experience that I carry to this day!
I just can't believe that anyone would think of giving up this gem of nature
If not, the decision will be changed
I recommend that all residents block the Chek Post intersection
and additional intersections - including all entrances to the municipality
Until the municipality decides to restore the stream and preserve it
Do a demonstration on a weekday, you're giving up a lot of participants, and it's a shame...
Send CV. Try to get a regular job.
Funny thing, Einat's only leadership test is at the ballot box.
She takes care of Nahal Saadia at a level that Mayor Duff did not take care of. She looks forward, not to today so that you will be satisfied. After all, if it was in her power as mayor, she would have cleaned and restored everything a long time ago. The situation there is complicated and involves many factors that are not subject to the municipality.
But you will continue to write anti articles on the biased stage given to you and everything will be polished.
Dear Yaron B,
A mayor's leadership is tested at every moment of the day and in every one of his actions. The zigzags of the incumbent mayor, the strange decisions, the hiding of information, the lack of responses, the lack of answers to questions in the city council, shocking behavior towards residents, and much more, indicate that she has long ago deserved the little leadership she may have had. A ballot is certainly not a test of leadership, the elections are a way of making decisions - we were wrong.
The mayor does not care about the river at all. She sent the activists for the Nahal Kibinimet with the argument that built-up land is worth more than a Nahal. point. She doesn't care about the cleanliness of the river like she doesn't care about the cleanliness of the city. What are you talking about???
I am certainly glad to hear that she is looking ahead, because in her not too distant future, after she vacates the mayor's chair, the city will breathe a sigh of relief.
You know what, after writing these things I suddenly realize that for a normal mayor, the story of Nahal Saadia is not a leadership test at all, it's not even a surprise test. It's just the natural thing to do. Too bad we don't have a real leader.
Yaron Broda, you are a delusional person