Both shopping and services? You exaggerate • Talpiot market infrastructure in Haifa ► Watch

(haipo) - Talfiot market in Haifa, the beating heart of commerce in the city, is currently facing an embarrassing, but critical problem: flooded and unusable public services. Even when autos change the numbers and the year 2025 begins, at a time when the infrastructures are supposed to be adapted to modern reality and winter weather, it seems that the situation is far from that.

On rainy days, the shoppers who fill the market expect to find an answer to basic needs. But instead, they encounter flooded toilets, which are not suitable for use. The problem has been going on for three days, and the feeling in the market is one of frustration and helplessness. "We live in the 21st century, and even the simplest things don't function as they should," said one critic.

While the buyers can, perhaps, hold back and look for a solution outside the market, or hold back until returning home, the hawkers find themselves in a particularly difficult situation. Many hours of work in the market require basic solutions such as proper toilets, but these are not available. "I've been here for 20 years. Every winter it's the same story," says one of the vendors. "But this year it's breaking records. How can you work like this?"

And if you thought that the problem was limited to the public toilets, you should know that the basketball courts, which were inaugurated in a solemn ceremony four years ago, are also suffering from flooding. Instead of serving as a source of activity and leisure for the residents, the lots turned into a makeshift "pool" during the winter.

Talfiot Market is a commercial, cultural and social symbol of Haifa. However, Navel does not seem to be receiving adequate solutions to allow him to prosper as he could. The lack of proper maintenance, infrastructures that are not adapted to winter weather and the lack of long-term planning create a feeling of neglect and continuous failure.

Will 2025 bring change?

The year 2025 is already here and the infrastructures should also be adapted to the modern reality. Is there a plan to improve the situation? The residents and vendors are waiting for answers - and above all for solutions.

Nissim Salman, chairman of the Talpiot Market Committee, told Lahi Pa:
"There was indeed a flood caused by a blockage in the basketball court above the toilets, which was caused by dirt. Already on Friday, teams from the municipality arrived to pump the dirt from the court. It was a process that took several days, but now the problem has been solved. This is the place to thank the director of the mayor's office, Paz Glickman , who does an amazing job, even in issues that are not under his direct responsibility.
This is a guy who comes to work, and every contact I pass on to him personally is handled quickly and thoroughly. He promised, together with the mayor, to work to improve the market, and soon we will see a completely different market. It is important for me to praise Glickman - he deserves a good word. Thanks to him, you can see a positive change in the market, both in order, both in cleanliness and in supervision. He helps us a lot, even in places where it's not part of his job."

The Haifa Municipality responded:
During the last few days, abnormal amounts of rain fell in Haifa and did not stop even this morning. The employees of the operations manager have been working since the beginning of the last weekend in order to provide a quick response to every inquiry. As was done in all of these, so were the services in Talpiot market. The toilet drains were opened and cleaned, the water went down and the women's toilets will be opened immediately after the situation returns to normal.