(haipo) - The beloved and popular hiking route - the "Stella Maris Trail" towards the Eliyahu Cave - became the focus of controversy when travelers and residents discovered to their astonishment that the trail was blocked by an iron gate and a lock. "This is predatory insolence and disdain for the public," says Ratcia Halevi.
What do the Haifa Municipality and the National Center for the Development of the Holy Places say? About that in the article before you...

One of the most recommended routes in the area
The route, known to almost every Haifa resident, is considered one of the most recommended routes in the region. This is a route that descends from the direction of Stella Maris towards the Eliyahu Cave, and is also intended for families and casual travelers. Along with the breathtaking view it offers, the route has become a popular recreation center among locals and tourists alike.
Ratia Halevi, a resident of Haifa, who often frequents the track on pleasant days, says:
"This is audacity, predation, and contempt for the public. This path has always been open to everyone, and suddenly it is blocked without prior warning." Halevi emphasizes the disappointment she felt, especially when she met families with children there who were forced to retrace their steps.

Gadi Halevi, a resident of Haifa, who is also one of the regular travelers on the trail, describes the feelings that came over him when he first saw the gate:
"I saw the gate about a month ago, but it was open. Yesterday, when my wife and I arrived for a walk, we were surprised to find that the gate was locked. It was annoying, especially since it's my regular running route. I feel like they took something that belongs to the public and suddenly just block it."
According to the Halevi couple, the attempt to find out why the path was blocked did not yield clear answers...
"We tried to understand why it happened, but we were unable to get an unequivocal answer," Recia says. "We saw many families who arrived, some with small children or strollers, and had to return the same way they came. This is not only frustrating, but also unfair."

The Haifa Municipality informed Haifa:
"This is a new gate built in the area owned by the "National Center for the Development of the Holy Places" and under its responsibility. Questions on the matter should be addressed directly to the center."
From the National Center for the Development of the Holy Places it was delivered to Hai Pa:
"The gate was erected in order to prevent the entry of wild pigs into the cave area, after cases where visitors were frightened and even injured by the pigs. During the cave's operating hours, the gate remains open, but when the cave is closed - the gate is closed. The guard made sure to close the gate even on Shabbat, according to the hours The closure of the cave. Following a request received from the municipality, an instruction was given to open the gate on Shabbat as well, so she heard, starting this coming Shabbat. The gate will remain open."
It is important to note that Hai Pa's appeal to the Haifa Municipality caused the National Center for the Development of Holy Places to give instructions to open the gate on Shabbat.
Opening hours of the cave:

Journalists too.
What is the National Center for the Development of Blah Blah, and by what right were they granted – they certainly didn't buy it with money – a space that is supposed to be public and open to all?
This is a contempt of the public, we need to go to court against the municipality and everyone involved. We're tired of this policing of nature.
What more nonsense will the criminal Haifa Municipality throw at the innocent and non-dangerous wild boars?! Haifa Municipality – Are you fed up!!!
What nonsense. Good morning and greetings to everyone.
Regarding the Cave of the Prophet God, everything has changed. If people from outside Haifa come, they don't always have access to the cave. Besides, for a few years now the area has been divided into two religions, two buildings, each one pulling in its own direction. One side is Jewish, the other side is Muslim. There's no problem if that's the case, but they arrived at the tunnel and suddenly there are opening hours, cigarette hours. The Haifa Municipality should do a periodic inspection there.
It is also possible to put a gate without a lock as in the public gardens
Or if you really want to make it bigger, you can add a spring that closes the gate.
dreamed
According to the picture, you can see that the structure of the gate cannot prevent pigs from entering through the squares.
And what about Friday?
Instead of dealing with the pig menace, they create the ugly gate and fence menace in the middle of a natural area that has come and destroyed nature and free passage.. And the Haifa Municipality has nothing to say on the subject?! Who exactly does it represent?!
I didn't understand about Shabbat. Open or closed? This is many people's travel day.
A gate should also be put at the entrance to Haifa 🤷🏼 ♂️🤦🏼