Harish, Israel

Harish
  • חָרִישׁ
  • خريش
Hebrew transcription(s)
  ISO 259 Ḥariš
Harish
Coordinates: 32°29′21″N 35°6′28″E / 32.48917°N 35.10778°E / 32.48917; 35.10778Coordinates: 32°29′21″N 35°6′28″E / 32.48917°N 35.10778°E / 32.48917; 35.10778
District Haifa
Founded 1993
Government
  Type Local council
Area
  Total 9,736 dunams (9.736 km2 or 3.759 sq mi)
Population (2006)
  Total 3,900
Name meaning Plowing

Harish (Hebrew: חָרִישׁ pron. ha-reesh) meaning "ploughing", is a town (local council) in the Haifa District of Israel. At the end of 2006, the town's population was 3,900.[1] Its jurisdiction is 9,736 dunams.[2] Under current plans, it is slated to become a city.

History

Harish was founded by Nahal in 1982 and converted into a kibbutz in 1985. In 1993 it was merged with neighouring Katzir to form a new town, Katzir-Harish.[3] However, the three settlements were split in 2012, with Harish remaining a town, and Katzir reverting to the jurisdiction of Menashe Regional Council.

The master plan of Harish was prepared by the architecture firm Mansfeld-Kehat Architects and calls for the expansion of Harish to Highway 65 in the north, and Baqa al-Gharbiyye in the south.[4] Initially Harish was envisioned as a Haredi city offering low-cost housing to this sector.[5] In 2012, a secular buyers group organized to bid on lots zoned for 400 housing units there.[6]

In January 2016, the Israeli cabinet approved a plan to transform Harish into a city. About 1 billion NIS will be invested in building houses, construction plans for trade, industry, and employment, and reinforce public institutions. The plan calls for Harish to be turned into a city of 50,000, although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he believed it would grow far beyond that.[7]

References

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