(Live here) – The Battle on the Beach: Dozens of residents of the Bat Galim neighborhood in Haifa went out today, Sunday, 1406/2026 afternoon, to a demonstration near the casino building on the beach in the Bat Galim neighborhood in Haifa, with the aim of calling on the Haifa Municipality to remove the wall and fence that block access to the beach in the area.
"The municipality promised to take down the barriers"
The residents claim that the municipality promised to take down the barriers but has not yet done so. The residents explain that there needs to be a separation between the casino building and what is planned to be built in its place later and the beach, which is fenced off with a fence and wall, and the municipality can and has promised to return it to the public, but is currently not fulfilling its commitment. The residents claim that the municipality is linking the overgrown beach to the progress of the casino plan, but the casino plan could be delayed for many years, and it is a shame that such a beautiful beach would be closed, when Haifa does not have a surplus of beaches.
The Casino Building – A Long-standing Community Struggle
"It must be ensured that the building and the area around it will be used by the public."
The casino building in Bat Galim was built in the 30s and was never actually used as a casino. Over the years, the building was used for a variety of purposes, alongside a large pool, but it has been inactive for over 30 years.
The building is currently owned by businessman Gil Dankner, who has been trying to advance a plan with planning committees for years to build a hotel on the site while preserving the casino building. Over the years, residents, environmental activists, and neighborhood activists have waged a long struggle to ensure that the building and the area around it will be used by the public.
They demonstrated, participated in protest events, appeared before planning committees and filed appeals. They claimed that any construction in the area could harm the wave regime and natural values, and destroy the possibility of surfing on the nearby beach.
Residents' demand: Removal of the fence and wall
Residents: "There is no connection between the sea area that is supposed to be open to the public and the construction plan."
The residents claim that the municipality pledged to take down the fence and wall that block access to the beach near the casino, regardless of the construction plan for the building itself, but in practice this has not been done. According to them, the casino plan is delayed and takes many years, and it is very difficult to know when construction will actually begin, and therefore there is no connection between the area of the sea that is supposed to be open to the public and the construction that will or will not take place at the casino.
The residents are demanding that the municipality issue a landscaping order that would allow it to expropriate the area at a low cost and return it to the public. According to some residents, there is an agreement with the developer that the area will be returned to the public and become an accessible beach only next to the casino construction, and this is what is delaying the opening of the area.
Families and Children's Demonstration – "The Sea is Not Just for Entrepreneurs"
Yael Shinar: "The municipality now needs to see the residents as a compass and go with them"
During the demonstration, many residents came with their children and held a community happening. The children drew their vision for the seaside on the wall with adults, and the parents spoke into a microphone and called for the beach to belong to everyone.
The activists emphasize that in a city like Haifa, where part of the seashore is expropriated for the railway and part for IDF bases, it is impossible for another part of the sea to be closed for no reason. Activists from the majority faction of the city also attended the event, as well as council member from the Green List, Yael Shinar, who lives in the neighborhood and is raising her children there.
Shinar said that in her opinion the municipality is acting in the best interests of the residents and trying to promote their interests by lowering the fence and other actions, but it should now see the residents as a compass and walk with them so that everyone can enjoy the seaside.
The casino is a historic building to be preserved and should be respected. Part of Haifa's history. It's a shame that no one can be found to renovate it into a restaurant and shopping center. On the Tel Aviv coast, this would have been possible 20 years ago. Haifa is sleepy...
The residents are unequivocally right!
The municipality must stop working according to the whims of those with vested interests that are contrary to the clear public interest.
And in this case, the matter is even more acute! This is a part that belongs entirely to the public – the sea that belongs to all of us needs to be opened, renovated, and made accessible to the public!
And the sooner the better!
Coastal Law. Building along the coast is prohibited.
The casino building should be demolished.
Enough with the greedy Dankner who did nothing there.
Is this a dangerous structure???
For demolition. Open the beaches.
The coal fields belong to the public, not to any entrepreneur. This is coastal land!!!!
For 30 years, the most beautiful area in Haifa has been fenced off, deserted, and the public has suffered.
Haifa Municipality will act immediately!
It's a public space that has always been open space.
The swimming pool did not belong to the casino.
Take action!!!!
The municipality or any body should have renovated the casino as a historic building and made it a cultural center, with performances, lectures, classes, screenings, everyone would have enjoyed it.
There are enough hotels in Bat Galim.
A beach is a public resource.
It is appropriate to open the beach to everyone, after many years of blockade.
The residents of Bat Galim are right in their demand.
Furthermore, it would be right for Haifa to close with Gil Dankner on alternative land for the casino building area according to an agreed appraisal. It is important for the city's benefit to open the avenue to the sea along with opening the beach to the public and demolishing the building.
I am not a resident of Bat Galim, but I am applying because my grandparents were among the founders of Bat Galim, and my grandmother even gave the name Bat Galim to the beautiful neighborhood in Haifa.
As a resident of Haifa and Bat Galim, I really don't mind a hotel being built in place of the casino building that has been closed for decades.
Such a hotel could contribute greatly to the neighborhood economy and local businesses.
Provided that the beach itself is accessible and open to the general public.
And the pool, when built, will also be open to the entire public (for a nominal and not excessive fee, for those who are not guests at the hotel)
In my opinion, this is a good enough proposal for all parties: the developer, the municipality, and the residents.
The name "Bat Galim" is precise and accurate.
What about Shabat Galim, a surfers' website?
Aspire to your grandmother🎩
The fact that Dankner is holding the area hostage is a scandal.