Yona Yahav, the former mayor of Haifa, announced this evening (Tuesday 13/6/23), at a press conference held at the La Capella Hotel in Kastra Mall, that he will run for mayor of Haifa in the upcoming elections to be held this October.
► Yahav announces his candidacy for mayor of Haifa
Time until the plague of pigs in Haifa is eradicated
(90 days from Yona Yahav taking office)
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Yona Yahav, 79 years old (born in 1944), is married to Prof. Rivka Yahav, and they have two daughters together and a child from her previous marriage. Yahav was elected mayor of Haifa in 2003, on behalf of the Shinio Party and the Green Party in Haifa. In 2008 he was elected for a second term and in 2013 he was elected for a third term.
In 2018, Yahav lost to Klish in the race for mayor. This year, in the 2023 elections, he will face about ten other candidates, in the race for mayor.
Yahav's work and projects he promoted but Kalish canceled
During Yahav's term of office, the Naot Peres neighborhood named after the ninth president of the country Shimon Peres was built, the construction of the Ramot Zemer neighborhood began and a new outline plan for the city was approved. He initiated and established the "Port Campus" and turned the Nirim school into a school specializing in veterinary medicine, which includes six living corners.
Yahav established and opened an arts school, "Khivar" in the Arab sector, and an upper division for the Alkarma school. Also, during his tenure, two branches of the youth movement "Wings of Karambo" were opened in Haifa, a youth movement that combines children with and without special needs. A project that was in danger of closing this year due to a budgeting problem.
During Yona Yahav's time, the Carmel tunnels were built and opened, tunnels initiated and promoted by the previous mayor, Amram Metzna. During Yahav's tenure, several major roads were built, including the Nahal HaGivori road and the Kiryot bypass road, and hundreds of kilometers of neighborhood roads were upgraded in the city.
Yahav initiated and promoted the flagship project - "The Matron", which began to operate throughout the city of Haifa. The continuation of the planned project in the Carmel Ridge was stopped during the term of Mayor Kalish Rotem.
Also, during his term of office, the construction project of the "Gulf Center" was initiated, which was inaugurated during the term of the Mayor of Kalish. Another project initiated and promoted by Yahav was the cable car project designed to connect the Bay Center and the Check Post area with the Technion and the University of Haifa. He also promoted the Car to Go project that began operating in 2017 throughout the city, but three years later Mayor Kalish decided to end the contract with the company and the project was canceled.
Yahav promoted the construction of the boardwalk on the beach, and connected the Carmel Beach boardwalk, the Shekmona boardwalk, and the plan was a continuous connection of the boardwalks to the Bat Galim boardwalk. He initiated and established Hecht Park, the skate park and during his time it was declared that it was a reserve
During Yahav's tenure, the sports hall in Romma was renovated, the Sami Ofer stadium was built, and the new Sportek was built in Neve Shanan. An Olympic mountain bike track was also established in the Nahal Azov area. In everything related to sports and leisure, Yahav promoted races and competitions in the city, including the Staircase Race, the "Haifa Race" and the "Strong Man". Races that were canceled during Klish's time.
Yahav wanted to create an opening from the front of the city to the sea and develop spaces for recreation and tourism in the port area. That is why Israel Railways demanded to sink the track in the municipal area of Haifa. In 2010, Israel Railways proposed, as part of the plan to electrify the railways, to sink only a small part of the track layout, which is 7 km long. Yahav demanded to sink the train track along the entire route of its journey in the city. This demand was rejected and the municipality of Haifa started a struggle with the cooperation of the Society for the Protection of Nature and social organizations And green. In February 2012, the parties reached a compromise, according to which Israel Railways undertook to sink 1.6 kilometers in Hecht Park with a budget of up to half a billion NIS. In return, the Haifa Municipality pledged not to act against the decision to switch to an electric train.
Yona Yahav said at the announcement conference:
"Haifa needs a real mayor, who knows how to dream, plan and fulfill"
"Haifa under my leadership will once again be the capital of the north and the capital of Israel's future economy"; "Within 90 years of my taking office, the pigs will no longer be here"; "We will restore personal security to the residents - I will set up a security patrol in cooperation with the police"
"I have been a Haifa patriot all my life. A Haifa patriot has no limit, no age, and no barrier that can stand between him and our beloved city Haifa. This is my life's mission, and the position of mayor is my life's role. In recent years, despair has taken over Haifa. This is one of the city's most difficult hours. Haifa It needs people to believe in it and its potential, to believe in its residents. Haifa under my leadership will once again be the capital of the north, the capital of Israel's future economy."
"Haifa under my leadership will not pay a single penny as tuition fees. I will enter my position immediately with a vision, experience and a complete work plan. Haifa receives a full-fledged mayor, with full commitment and responsibility."
"I will renew my trust with all government ministries. This is not a question of political support - the Israeli government and the Ministry of Finance give budgets to those who know how to realize them, and to those who know how to carry out large projects. Haifa needs a real mayor, who knows how to dream and fulfill this way - to dream, plan, and fulfill. Haifa will have an open door with any minister, and it doesn't matter which government. I will bring back the railway sinking project, we will expand the areas of the downtown and the port campus."
"Pigs and people can't live together"
As for the problem of pigs on the city's streets, Yahav pledged: "Within 90 days of my return to the position of mayor, we will remove the entire phenomenon of pigs. Residents and pigs cannot live together. We will remove the wild pigs from Haifa with determination and sensitivity."
Yahav even promised to initiate urban renewal moves, which in recent years Haifa has not promoted:
"We need to renew the neighborhoods in Haifa, give hope to every neighborhood and every street, that it is possible to go through the process of renewal and development. As a Haifa patriot, there is not a street that I do not know. We will do it while maintaining the character and texture of life in the neighborhoods. I have learned from the mistakes of the past, we will do it with sensitivity and coordination."
"I will uproot crime from Haifa"
In his speech, Yahav also addressed the issue of personal security, which has deteriorated over the past five years. "Phenomena of vandalism, car races, things that have never happened in Haifa, have entered the city in recent years. Within 4 months I will re-establish a security patrol in cooperation with the Israel Police. We will add dozens of police officers and vehicles in the city. I will raise the budgets for this and uproot the phenomenon of crime from Haifa. Haifa will return to being A safe city."
"Personal deposits will not be a work plan - the era of the camps in Haifa is over"
Yahav emphasized in his words that he intends to cooperate with all parties - "even with those who will give their voice to others. I regret the personal struggles I have had in my life. Personal sediments will not be a work plan!" Yahav emphasized that the upcoming election is crucial for the future of Haifa, and called for a "decent and fair election. We must not lower it".
Yahav referred to rumors according to which there are already those who are trying to promote an "ageism campaign" against him.
"To make fun of a person because of his appearance, because of his origin or because of his age - it's low. The lowest you can go is a campaign of ageism."
Yahav asked his supporters not to be dragged into slanders and insults.
"We are running to get Haifa back on track. The previous elections are over and Einat's honor is in her place. I will lead these elections like a Haifa gentleman and in this way I will also lead the city. The era of the camps in Haifa is over. It no longer exists in my view. Haifa needs a unifying leadership led by me. So It will be and I will do it."
At the end, Yahav excitedly said:
"I am returning to the position of mayor, not to receive trophies and medals for the most beautiful stadium in Israel, for the underground city project, for the Carmel tunnels, for the city's appearance and beauty, or for the amazing cultural events that we have established here. I am returning in the name of the challenges of the future: Haifa called me, Haifa needs Lee and I are a Haifa patriot"
Yona Yahav will return Haifa to a good place after the destruction of Kalish, all the contestants are not at his level and some of them are connected to contractors who have a personal interest. Ask No. 2 of Etzioni the candidate in which election
Yona stay at home, it will take years to rebuild the city after you!
Finally!! And this time, everyone who failed at his peak is invited to vote for Yuna, unlike last time. Did you see what happened? If there is anyone who can and deserves to lead Haifa forward, it is only Yona Yahav.
Yahav is proud to have approved the new outline plan for Haifa.
If one of the program's senior advisors was in prison at the same time - all the credit goes to Lihav.
If, following the approval of the plan, lawsuits amounting to billions, yes thousands of millions, have been filed and will continue to be filed against the Haifa municipality - all the credit goes to Yahav.
If he chooses again, he can continue.
Yona did a lot for the city of Haifa, I hope he will come back in a big way and save us from a cliché that destroyed the city. There is no cleanliness, pigs everywhere, property taxes are rising, she didn't build anything..to think that Yona built Hecht Park..she doesn't even think about such projects...can't manage to clean a street
Yona, you are missing, Haifa is waiting for your leadership, good luck
Haifa is scarred from 20 years of destruction by the arrogance of Yahav and McCollish.
Do us a favor and don't choose those who have already destroyed enough.
There is a sane option of a person who is experienced in working in the council and should be given to him in front of all the real estate negotiators and smooth-tongued lawyers - Avihu Hahn.
After reading the comments, it's hard to get rid of the feeling that the keyboard hires at Tzuk and Klish are back in action, which perhaps indicates the great pressure Klish is under. After almost five years in a position that is much bigger than her, it is time for Klish to take responsibility for her actions and stop blaming everything on her predecessors. We expect from Klish and Tzuk, that unlike their previous election campaign, which was one of the most sophisticated but also one of the lowest that Haifa has known, this time they will run a fair, decent and clean election campaign.
Who developed and promoted the destructive TMA 38 in the Carmel Range?
Who nurtured and promoted the city engineer for the demolition of the Carmel ridge with the saying "we are developing the city"?
Who nurtured and promoted the serial lying urban engineer to issue building permits under TMA 38 based on his false statements and in violation of the law?
Who will advance the destruction of the Carmel if elected mayor?
All questions have one answer...
Gural makes a comeback! You'll see!
Yona Yahav is a big tycoon who is putting the municipality's coffers in dire straits with terrible debts, Yona started a construction frenzy in Carmelia and turned the neighborhood from a prestigious neighborhood to a neighborhood with no demand at all because of the parking shortage and crazy overcrowding, Yona degraded the value of the properties on the Moriah axis
Due to his street parties, property values dropped by 30 percent
Due to a complete drop in demand and a strong population flight.
During the period of Yona Yahav, the property tax increased by imaginary amounts.
During the period of Yona, Ovadi did what they wanted, how they wanted.
Yona is not the solution, Yona is the problem
Haifa has never known a municipality that hates and bullies residents like it was during Yahav's time.
Thanks to Klish who came to meet the residents and allowed free parking for 20 minutes and protected the city from the real estate pigs... Shihav sold Haifa to them during his time.
Apart from raising property taxes in Haifa to new heights, Yona Yahav contributed nothing to Haifa. There are no nests for your rotten goods Yahav.
Good luck my friend Mr Yona Yahav. For your information, the mayor Mrs. Dr. Einat Kalish Rotem is very popular in the capital of the north - Haifa and she will continue in her position. Have a nice evening.
They say that sometimes only when you lose something do you learn to recognize its value. Your words are moving, Yona. Haifa yearns for a balanced and considered leadership. With experience, with logic, with vision, and with the ability to execute. Leadership with dreams up to the sky, with a head that plans up to the clouds, but also feet that are deeply rooted in the ground of reality. Haifa needs repair. To someone who will put her back on track and in her rightful place. Because in the last four and a half years it seems that Haifa has gone completely off the rails. Haifa should return to being a safe, clean, well-kept, flourishing, vibrant, and developing city. Welcoming guests but first and foremost good and pleasant for the residents. Extreme dirt, pigs, rising crime, and the neglect of almost every possible area of life. Investment in education, cultural events, infrastructure, personal security, and job creation will be repaid. The investment will be returned to all residents, young and old citizens, Jews, Arabs, secular and religious. Respectful discourse, cooperation, moderation, brotherhood, the special Haifa spirit will be restored, and hope will be restored. All of these have somewhat disappeared from our lives in recent years, and they are what make Haifa so worthwhile and loved. We missed Yona! Good luck to you and us!
He has aged terribly…
A very large part of the problems of Kalish and the municipality of Haifa and the dysfunction of the municipality is inherited from Yonah Yahav.
The fact that she added damages and corruptions does not make us forget what a dysfunctional municipality Miona Yahav also inherited.
Fight and lose this time too.
Our memory is not that short...
Someone brought the property tax here to record highs and it wasn't a cliché.
Someone put hundreds of criminals in Hadar and it wasn't a cliché.
Someone neglected all the schools and closed 5 secular schools and it was not a cliché.
It's enough, if you run for the presidency of the house committee of your villa in Dania you will also lose.
And you don't have a faction anyway, and if you don't win, you'll resign from the council because you're only interested in whipped cream.
It's unbelievable that I wrote this on the day of the elections which were on 30/10/2018 at 1300, Valk I accurately predicted everything at the time, this time if only because of the age of Mr. Yahav who is about to turn 80, unfortunately I will not support him, but no one will teach me politics, whoever thinks that is safe Mrs. Kalish will be dismissed or not, he is a political novice: this time, regardless, there will definitely be a second round in Haifa, here are my words in gold letters:
Haifa is divided and divided into two camps:
The Arabs in the city will vote Yona Yahav,
The old guard in the city and the old citizens will vote Yona Yahav,
In Hadar Aliyon and in the streets of Vizni'etz in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods of Haifa there is a riot of God,
The ultra-Orthodox crowd in Yiddish at the street corners, the phones work non-stop,
My heart is with Jonah, but there is a feeling in the air of change, I wish I was wrong,
If Jonah falls it is solely because of one thing, a major strategic mistake he made,
The incumbent mayor Mr. Yahav was complacent in the last year, he took for granted his winning the fourth term in the city by walking,
His complacency could lead to his removal,
I see no point in ousting an incumbent mayor who is doing and will continue to do for the city of Haifa,
The contestant against him is a type of cardboard, a type of placket,
"The Disappearing"
Most likely the turnout in Haifa will be higher than in previous years, the Sabbath also contributed to this, of course, together with the wonderful weather and the weakening of the irritating east wind,
Bat Galim is now crowded as it hasn't been in a long time,
I call on everyone who has a Haifa resident card to take action, stand up and exercise their civil right and put the right note,
Despite all the mud in the current election system we must remember that tomorrow is a new day and we will have to continue living with each other,
It seems that a second round in Haifa is possible, if the story of Yona Yahav comes true,
Jonah must win today somehow, Yahav's central staff must forcefully and assertively bring out his loyalists to come and cast the right ticket,
The change in the lower city and in Bat Galim is felt and visible, let's let it continue its practice.
If, God forbid, Klish wins, the Neve Shanan neighborhood will turn overnight into Bnei Barak,
Yahav is the only one who can maintain a liberal city with a status quo that allows neighborly relations between the Arabs and the Jews, between the religious and the secular,
Yahav is the man
Let's hope for the best - the day is short and the work is a lot
The scroll of Esther without a point 🙂 we didn't understand who you will vote for...
Poor thing, he wanted so badly to be the shooter of the Jewish Agency. He fought and lost. A complete failure.
Yona welcome.
I would love to know if you intend to stay on the city council even if you don't choose to be mayor.
Pigeon
Go home, your time has passed, stay a pensioner, don't come to show us around
Did Klish pay you? Most of the city's residents now understand how great things Jonah has done and we will vote for him. The most important thing is to clean up a city and return it to at least the condition it was in during his time. Only now is it clear how great Hana was and it's a shame we didn't celebrate it