The Director General of the Ministry of the Interior, Israel Ozan, arrived today (Thursday, 8/20/26), for a working visit that dealt with key issues related to the development of the Hof Carmel Regional Council. The discussion focused on the management of the seashore, the future of Atlit, the promotion of renewable energy, and the regulation of planning in the village of Ein Hod. The visit was accompanied by the head of the council, Asif Isaac, his deputy, Rafi Avni, and his deputy, Osher Vaknin.
Overview of the Council and its unique challenges
The visit began with an overview of the unique characteristics of the Carmel Beach Regional Council, a large and diverse area covering approximately 190 dunams, with 27 communities and a 42-kilometer stretch of coastline. Alongside agriculture, tourism and industry, the CEO was presented with the challenges arising from the large area, the differences between the communities and the responsibility for natural and coastal assets of regional and national importance. The working meeting focused on four strategic issues that the council is promoting with the Ministry of the Interior.
Coastal management and the future of Atlit
On the issue of beaches, the council presented the unique challenge involved in managing one of the longest stretches of coastline in Israel, which serves a large public that comes from all over the country. The conversation raised the need to create a long-term solution that would allow the council to continue to provide high-level cleaning, maintenance, supervision and safety services on the beaches. Another key issue discussed was the future of Atlit, against the backdrop of the geographical committee's discussions on the issue of the town's independence. The CEO was presented with the implications of the move for Atlit and for the entire council, and the need to ensure that any decision regarding the town's future would be made with a long-term perspective.
Renewable energy and the regulation of the village of Ein Chod
The visit also presented the steps that the Carmel Beach is promoting in the field of renewable energy, with an emphasis on photovoltaic and agro-voltaic installations that combine energy production with continued agricultural activity. In addition, the need to advance the plan to regularize the village of Ein Chod was discussed, including completing the planning procedures and regularizing rights, in order to enable the continued development of the settlement.
Director General of the Ministry of the Interior Israel Ozan He said that "Hof Carmel is a leading, strong and developing council that deals with complex and unique issues," adding that "the visit allowed us to get to know the challenges up close, hear the needs, and examine together ways to advance the issues on the agenda."
"Turning challenges into opportunities"
Council Chairman Asif Isaac He noted that "Hof Carmel is a strong and growing council, but also a council with characteristics and challenges that almost no other authority in Israel has, from a long stretch of coast that serves the entire public, through settlements that are undergoing significant growth processes, to agriculture that we seek to preserve and strengthen."
Isaac added that "the Ministry of the Interior is our key partner in turning these challenges into opportunities. The visit allowed us to put on the table the strategic issues that will shape the Carmel Coast in the coming years, and to work together to remove barriers and promote long-term solutions."