Dan won the tender two weeks ago. Now they need to start this operatoin: to buy buses, hire and train workers and all what's around that. The estimation that it will start operating in 2012.

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/9571/70841811.jpg

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1659/68083647.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9040/82544256.jpg

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/624/56526142.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7563/41268076.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3053/56334300.jpg

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/5695/44162553.jpg

GOD BLESS THIS CITY, so beautiful and so close to the sea.

here (Indonesia) very dangerous lives close to the sea, we got so much an earthquake if you follow the news of our country. so sad for me

i heard that it wasnt just an earthqake but also a tsunami.

yeah poor Indonesia

both of you are right
the tsunami killed more 300 people, and the volcanos more then 50 ppl.

im sorry oot :D

may i put all the picture in first page to Indonesian Forum ?

sure

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7492/262022441.jpg

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/5742/262022301.jpg

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5483/262022051.jpg

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3995/262021871.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5296/262021601.jpg

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/2310/261746171.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2580/261712491.jpg

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/4803/261706761.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9777/261708731.jpg

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3570/261709391.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1601/261709781.jpg

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/3074/261711121.jpg

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/9529/261712012.jpg

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/7472/261712101.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/8136/261706681.jpg

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/6668/261703711.jpg

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/4632/261703431.jpg

ill take it all LOL, and show to my friends :D

good pictures!
the sail tower (i think this is the name..) is beautiful!

HAIFA TODAY
http://blog.tapuz.co.il/towers/images/3392904_1028.jpg

^^ I also made some shots of Carmel fire passing today through Haifa and Atlit.

I am actually impressed by amazing job of Turkish, Greek and British pilots shuttled between sea and Carmel hills struggling with fire.

Turn to Beit Oren from HWY 2:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0419m.jpg

Southern fire front:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0421m.jpg

Turkish fire airplanes in action:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0423m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0424m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0449m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0425m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0426m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0428m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0464m.jpg

British fire helicopters:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0434m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0455m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0440m.jpg


Greek airplane:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0502m.jpg

The Battle:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0439m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0441m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0453m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0504m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0507m.jpg

nice pics
thanx

http://img574.imageshack.us/img574/7933/10425928.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5377/14241063.jpg

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/2342/63200408.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7819/70870115.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5056/45387200.jpg

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/2046/71531576.jpg

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/2833/39517952.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5288342507_ccf4192ce2_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5283438012_767d47b04f_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5265561919_7a4aaae5ba_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5164/5288342507_ccf4192ce2_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5128/5283438012_767d47b04f_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5265561919_7a4aaae5ba_b.jpg

What is it? Is it a church?

by the way, what is the big thing that cover the Shrine of the Báb?

where do u see a church?

this tree is a new statue on a traffic circle in Ben Guryon Blvd. there's no church there; just a christian population.
the shrine of the Bab is under renovation for almost a year now. if i remember correctly, the renovation should be over really soon.

the reindeer, BTW, are at a restaurant called Dujan which i highly recommend.

where do u see a church?

Because of the Christmas decoration...

this tree is a new statue on a traffic circle in Ben Guryon Blvd. there's no church there; just a christian population.
the shrine of the Bab is under renovation for almost a year now. if i remember correctly, the renovation should be over really soon.

the reindeer, BTW, are at a restaurant called Dujan which i highly recommend.

Thanks..
Is the tree going to stay there? or is it temporary?

don't know

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/3033/51365815.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2110/35792258.jpg

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/4551/20316279.jpg

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/174/92741119.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/854/89586546.jpg

What is it? Is it a church?

by the way, what is the big thing that cover the Shrine of the Báb?

Here is video from russian tv channel NTV
http://www.itogi.ntv.ru/news/215526/


"...В так называемом немецком квартале организовали развлекательную программу, завезли искусственный снег и впервые в истории современного Израиля установили праздничную 12-метровую елку, но не простую, а экологическую. В ней 5,5 тысяч пластиковых бутылок и 30 тысяч разноцветных лампочек.

Юля Штрайх, заместитель мэра г. Хайфы: «Этот год у нас будет необычный 2010, с елкой. Впервые в Хайфе стоит огромная елка высотой 12 метров».

Необычную елку придумала девушка, молодой промышленный дизайнер Хадас Ицкович. Эту работу, которую Хадас реализовала вместе со своим отцом, она считает важной и интересной. Сегодня ее оригинальная елка — не просто символ Нового года, но и попытка донести до граждан страны и всего мира нечто большее и про Хайфу, и про Израиль.

Хадас Ицкович, дизайнер: «После сильнейшего лесного пожара в Хайфе на примере экологического решения мне хотелось показать гармонию человека и природы, гармонию отношений представителей всех мировых религий, которые есть в Иерусалиме и Хайфе — иудаизма, христианства и ислама».

google translation:

The so-called German quarter of organized entertainment, brought the artificial snow for the first time in the history of modern Israel have established a festive 12-meter tree, but not simple, and ecological. In her 5500 plastic bottles and 30,000 multicolored bulbs.

Julia Shtrayh, deputy mayor of Haifa: "This year we will have an unusual 2010, with a tree. For the first time in Haifa is a huge tree height of 12 meters. "

Unusual tree came up with a girl, a young industrial designer Hadas Itskovich. This work, which Hadas sold along with her father, she considers important and interesting. Today, her original Christmas tree - not just a symbol of New Year, but also an attempt to convey to the citizens of the country and around the world and more about Haifa, and about Israel.

Hadas Itskovich, designer: "After a strong forest fire in Haifa, on the example of environmental decision I wanted to show the harmony between man and nature, the harmony of the relations of all world religions, which is in Jerusalem and Haifa - Judaism, Christianity and Islam."

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/3127187897_734792391e_b.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5209/5234957028_cde6327c78_b.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/9310/302921621.jpg

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/7472/302921401.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/3662/104532961.jpg

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/3557/466564393.jpg

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/7692/90452208.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/4839/41634291.jpg

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/9056/164190291.jpg

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4264/164190891.jpg

Great postings everybody.

At the last pics of Urban legend ^^ on the 3rd pic:
Last September I stayed over 2 days in Bat Galim. It gets attracktive slowly again. But what I was surprised about is the building on the left side just close 'into' the sea, it's a good spot to start restaurants and all kind of other stuff again, plus an extra part of beach or waterfun for kids. Why does it stay an old ruine? The rest of the street looks nice there.

it's the abandoned casino.
it was just sold last week for 220m NIS.

A casino inside Israel? :? who ran it? Abugil?

first, it was built in 1934...
second, it wasn't a Vegas like casino. it was just a place with restaurants and a salt water swimming pool (just like Gordon it Tel-Aviv).

there's only an article in Hebrew. sorry Yoav
http://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A7%D7%96%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95_%D7%91%D7%AA_%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D

first, it was built in 1934...
second, it wasn't a Vegas like casino. it was just a place with restaurants and a salt water swimming pool (just like Gordon it Tel-Aviv).

there's only an article in Hebrew. sorry Yoav
http://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A7%D7%96%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95_%D7%91%D7%AA_%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9D

But isnt there a Casino in Israel? Eilat? Jericho?

But isnt there a Casino in Israel? Eilat? Jericho?

There was a boat in Eilat that travels out of the Israeli border so people could gamble. I think it no longer exist, but I'm not sure..

As for Jericho, well you know... it's not so much of an Israeli territory.

A casino inside Israel? :? who ran it? Abugil?

Are Casinos not allowed in Israel?

Beautiful pics by the way!!:)

casinos are not allowed. you're correct.

Why? I thought Israel was pretty Liberal.

Why? I thought Israel was pretty Liberal.

It was only recently that western/liberal nations allowed Casinos. It takes time for the legislation to agree on it.

Mind you that if there will be a Casino in Israel, it will probably be operated by the state. But there are issues with things like this..

Where to put it?

Most Israelis tend to gamble abroad and not many have the culture of playing poker or blackjack......maybe I'm wrong. Anyone can confirm?

Why? I thought Israel was pretty Liberal.

What is liberal in leting people to lose all their property?

Are there still those casino ships that once of Israeli territorial waters gambling starts? I've heard that's the closest to Israeli casinos.

Urban, if someone is really addicted he will gable illegally or go abroad. A very big share of customers in our casinos are Israeli. I briefly worked at a hotel that catered mainly for Israelis who'd go there in big groups for a weekend and gamble, the restaurant even had one crazy cook who had worked in Israel and he'd go out and have loud arguments with them :lol:

What is liberal in leting people to lose all their property?

True but if they want to do it, why stop them?

@Kappa21, thanks for explaining.

Israel is more a Social-Democratic state than Liberal. And in a social-democratic state, you often need to decide for the people what is better for them.
For example, there is a law that you must have at least one day off of work in a week. But if i want to work all 7 days? Than no, you can't. The state decides for you that is better for you to rest a day. Same for gambling; the state knows it will only cause trouble and make the poor poorer and the rich richer.

Also, there weren't ever a group of people saying this is necessary in Israel, therefore no one is eager to make this legal.
In addition, there's still the lottery company which is subsidized by the state and have the lottery contest and scratching cards. Somehow it became legal because some percentage of the money goes for charity.

Anyhow, there are several of illegal casinos operating in Israel. You hear here and there of the police finding them and closing them. Most of those (if not all) are being operated by the Mafia.

True but if they want to do it, why stop them?

@Kappa21, thanks for explaining.

Same thing you can say about drugs.

Yoav, thanks for explaining.

Urban legend, I understand your point.

For example, there is a law that you must have at least one day off of work in a week. But if i want to work all 7 days? Than no, you can't. The state decides for you that is better for you to rest a day.

So if someone wanted to work 7 days in a row, they couldn't? How would they know, and what would be the penalty?

So if someone wanted to work 7 days in a row, they couldn't? How would they know, and what would be the penalty?

They don't allow your employer to let you work 7 days. What will be the penalty? i gues some fine or something.

So if someone wanted to work 7 days in a row, they couldn't? How would they know, and what would be the penalty?

if your talking about freelance workers than you can't always enforce the law.
but for example, take a Kosher restaurant. the Rabbi came, said that the food is Kosher, good. does he really knows what happens in the moment he leaves until the next time he'll be back?
sometimes there are laws that you can't entirely enforce, but you can expect from the population to obey it.

if your talking about freelance workers than you can't always enforce the law.
but for example, take a Kosher restaurant. the Rabbi came, said that the food is Kosher, good. does he really knows what happens in the moment he leaves until the next time he'll be back?
sometimes there are laws that you can't entirely enforce, but you can expect from the population to obey it.

Stop being atheist...
The law is a civic one, not religous...
it is the same when it comes to discriminating someone if they are pregnant or need to grieve for family members.......

and Rabbis have eyes everywhere :) Moshiach is coming!

Downtown
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/1379/80105530.jpg

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3271/77096891.jpg

Upper city
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/5024/85298164.jpg

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/8504/59163369.jpg

downtown of Haifa looks like Gaza

Yes it's ugly!
Well most of the residents of downtown are arabs so... don't be surprise if it looks like Gaza.

Yes it's ugly!
Well most of the residents of downtown are arabs so... don't be surprise if it looks like Gaza.

:lol:

Is it really that ugly in comparison with other cities? Israeli architecture doesn't strike me as incredibly appealing to be honest.

True, with an exception of Tel Aviv.

Is it really that ugly in comparison with other cities? Israeli architecture doesn't strike me as incredibly appealing to be honest.

actually i find most of the kibbutz, moshavim and small cities rather nice....but when they start to grow...:ohno:

some of the independence day fireworks from yesterday
in Haifa you can get to see it from above looking down and all across the bay

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/3135/dsc5531.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/805/dsc5531.jpg/)

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/6304/dsc5538o.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/687/dsc5538o.jpg/)

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/9662/dsc5536.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/dsc5536.jpg/)

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/2062/96482619.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/888/28320732.jpg

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/3020/27301432.jpg

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/7332/40884530.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/5749/59483947.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/8030/12851474.jpg

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/1417/17325869.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4241/942962.jpg

http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/4944/142563771.jpg

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8351/145656581.jpg

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/9094/146614561.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2460/151350551.jpg

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/7572/466564291.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/324/466564391.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/6403/61172016.jpg

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/5017/25413648.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/944688.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/944686.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/944680.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/944677.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/944672.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/944691.jpg

http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/2459/57853481.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6083/70430842.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/500/70431171.jpg

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/7608/haifar.jpg

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/1657/haifa2.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3903/69219542.jpg

The ugly side of the city
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/3302/275655672.jpg

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/853/51272031.jpg

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/7069/76672101.jpg

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/616/137733841.jpg

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/8992/340805201.jpg

http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/1706/529664721.jpg

Are Casinos not allowed in Israel?
:)

There was a Casino in Jericho. It was financed by an Austrian bank and operated by Casinos Austria and targeted Israelis. With the outbreak of the 2nd intifada the whole thing failed. There was also some corruption involved, some Austrian billionaire was behind the whole thing and did some deal with Arafat. Currently he can't enter Israel, because he is under investigation because of his financing of Avigdor Lieberman ;)

edit: I just read that he still tries to open it again and that he also plans a Casino ship near Eilat... that guy's not giving up.

Israelis usually go abroad to play in Casinos........

:) Ill open a Casino soon: Kappa Casino....
low bets, lots of fixing, but free fruit punch at the concession stand ;)

About Haifa: I don't think it is too bad. The biggest problem is the mess in the North with Lev HaMifratz and the Krayot. Kiryat Haim is even a part of the Haifa municipality, while the others aren't. There is just a lot of mess along the Haifa-Akko roads with all the malls and crap businesses that are spawning up. Generally very unfriendly for pedestrians.

I hope the Metronit is making things a bit better, although I would have preferred a lightrail.

Another problem area is downtown Haifa. It's basically dead. There's really nothing to do down there, except for some bank branches and a 24/7 supermarket. That's it. The nearby German colony is quite nice, but if you wanna go there from downtown Haifa you pass through a street which really looks like Gaza.

The problem with Haifa is not Krayot and it's industrial zone. Industrial zone is not a place that you can point on it and say hey that's the city problem.

Haifa's problem is that they don't renovate buildings like in Tel Aviv, the arab neighborhood that looks like Lebanon in the middle of the city and lack of attractions.
The city goes to sleep at 10PM.

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/26089826.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/31504891.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/31504894.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/31504921.jpg

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9571/307275971.jpg

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/9492/307275881.jpg

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/78/307275831.jpg

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/4899/260894531.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/1521/131755651.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4061/69812152.jpg

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/8908/315051541.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9023/315051521.jpg

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/2641/315050791.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4493/315049971.jpg

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/8083/315049301.jpg

Italian naval sail ship the Amerigo Vespucci
Visit to Haifa Port

http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/8974/dsc1873.jpg

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/4853/dsc1876.jpg

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/4324/dsc1879i.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/6970/dsc1893y.jpg

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/5585/dsc1902r.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4827/dsc1906l.jpg

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/4411/dsc1908u.jpg

Mexican training naval sail ship The Cuauhtemoc
visit to Haifa Port

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9816/dsc1595k.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7540/dsc1602o.jpg

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/5996/dsc1613h.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5773/dsc1588z.jpg

^^ Beautiful ships !
How long they gonna stay in Haifa?

they sailed away today afteroon.

Beautiful :cheers:

Beautiful photos.....thanks, just dropping by...:cheers2:

Any pictures of the Metronit?

Any pictures of the Metronit?

will start operation somewhere in 2012. basically a double sized bus on the brt lanes.
haifa already has a suburban train (parvarit) similar to a light rail pretty much following the same route.

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/8480/368886791.jpg

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/9416/368885241.jpg

http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/8/368882231.jpg

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/3703/368880891.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4167/368880681.jpg

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4571/368880471.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2480/368880181.jpg

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/9955/368880111.jpg\

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/6739/368880031.jpg

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/6125/368879921.jpg

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/8648/368878941.jpg

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/9854/368879761.jpg

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/8961/368879431.jpg

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/8648/368878941.jpg

Haifa's got some epic brutalist architecture. Next to this one also the port building and Rambam hospital come to mind.

very nice, looks much better than haifa street back in baghdad ;)

Haifa st. in Baghdad?

Oooo yea yea...

Haifa Street in Central Bagdhad, not far away from Palestine International Hotel and Resort...
you never been? :?

Haifa's got some epic brutalist architecture. Next to this one also the port building and Rambam hospital come to mind.

not very appreciated this style, at all.
although concrete is a fashion it comes and goes.
now the polished concrete is very "in"

Haifa's got some epic brutalist architecture. Next to this one also the port building and Rambam hospital come to mind.

university buildings
big blocks of flats
hospitals and even synagogues

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0441m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0453m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0504m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0507m.jpg

The area kind of reminds me of Hollywood hills.

Haifa new architecture of a residential complex
photos: amit haas

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/9634/image0043l.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/2429/image0037v.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1401/image0034q.jpg

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/7905/image0030h.jpg

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/6538/image0026u.jpg

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/1990/image0020b.jpg

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/7939/image0019j.jpg

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/5531/image0018z.jpg

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/6015/image0017r.jpg

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/5131/image0014nq.jpg

http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/3048/image0011ri.jpg

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/9228/image0007wi.jpg

Fucks this? The Bahai Temple?

The area kind of reminds me of Hollywood hills.

Clearly never been to Hollywood or anywhere outside of Israel.....

Fucks this? The Bahai Temple?

can you read dufus?
residential complex.

can you read dufus?
residential complex.

clearly.....someone has a bad matzav rowach........
:) Relax...Kappas here!

Relax...Kappas here!

moron, oxymoron

Oooo yea yea...

Haifa Street in Central Bagdhad, not far away from Palestine International Hotel and Resort...
you never been? :?

No, didn't had a chance to visit Iraq. Only Iran.

No, didn't had a chance to visit Iraq. Only Iran.

PARSI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad:

Oooo yea yea...

Haifa Street in Central Bagdhad, not far away from Palestine International Hotel and Resort...
you never been? :?

yep their :)

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/5532/67433687.jpg

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/8483/24070028.jpg

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/7955/33086913.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7498/30108514.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3001/49220244.jpg

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/3941/72650086.jpg

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/3166/21423596.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9093/18762892.jpg

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/5407/58044992.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/4330/88533645.jpg

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/5871/52833883.jpg

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/7820/colonyhotelhaifa.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1953/imgp2910resize.jpg

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/5255/dscn5204.jpg

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/189/imgp3538resize.jpg

Dado Beach

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/492/20110721182540dsc5106.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9639/img1593dj.jpg

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/1414/20110721180114dsc5068.jpg

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/3374/file0.jpg

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/6942/5211123.jpg

Haifa Dado Drummers beach

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/2271/201010093396.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5540/img5106f.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/5531/201009252855.jpg

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1978/201010163799.jpg

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/9521/201010163665.jpg

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/7554/201009252978.jpg

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/6807/201009041997.jpg

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/2328/201007241171.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4479/201007241167.jpg

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/7329/201007241164.jpg

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/6520/201007241288.jpg

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/1114/201007170964.jpg

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/7642/201007170961.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/8870/201007170952.jpg

Amazing! Beautiful city

could someone please post pics of the grand canyon mall next to hafia thanks

Grand Canyon is not nexto to Haifa, It's in Haifa.

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/6316717.jpg

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/5092/79493906.jpg

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5296/97667474.jpg

could someone please post pics of the grand canyon mall next to hafia thanks

haifa and what do you want them for? :? its a mall like any other.

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3271/62835441.jpg

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/2861/288562231.jpg

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/6276/288555151.jpg

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/589/288629541.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/526/288640321.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/723/289187111kmk.jpg

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/3597/289188301.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/2904/289364261.jpg

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/5640/288597301.jpg

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/5640/288597301.jpg

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/1821/288597242.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2554/288591391.jpg

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/3052/288575581.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7473/288568821.jpg

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/1807/288564111.jpg

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/1170/288382471.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/6082/288382591.jpg

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/355/288384831.jpg

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/2200/288386161.jpg

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/5650/288442511.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/4216/288443621.jpg

http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/8189/289363961.jpg

tnx !!!!

';

haifa and what do you want them for? :? its a mall like any other.

this is the biggest mall israel got

this is the biggest mall israel got

it was but some malls have added floors and are bigger.
kenyon ha-zahav (gold mall) in rishon lezion has opened a new wing this year so now it holds the biggest mall title
with 400 shops and 108,000 square meters. its also the first mall to offer a free valet parking service.
The largest outlet-mall is hutsot hamifratz also in haifa, with 150,000 square meters.

Beautiful! :cheers: I'm in love with the Baha'i shrine! Haifa seems like an pleasant place to live...

Kiriat Ata
http://www.nrg.co.il/images/archive/465x349/1/395/713.jpg

Have the Carmel Tunnels had a significant impact (upward) on the Haifa's real estate market ?

Have the Carmel Tunnels had a significant impact (upward) on the Haifa's real estate market ?

welcome skyfran :)

and its hard to know because all the prices went up regardless
but I dont think they had any impact on it

welcome skyfran :)

and its hard to know because all the prices went up regardless
but I dont think they had any impact on it
Thanks for the welcome Yerushalmi !

I consider Haifa the nicest city to live in Israel. No urban jungle like Tel Aviv, nice scenic view and a mountain park at nearly walking distance. The only problem is that the population seems like to flee Haifa for Tel Aviv. It's not dramatic numbers but more people leave the city each year than the other way around.

I would like to believe that the newly completed transportation projects such as the Carmel Tunnels and the future Checkpoint Cable Car, the Metronit, the Krayot Bypass would make Haifa and the Krayot a more attractive place to live in.

Im not sure transport or tunnel projects is what makes a city nicer or what people consider when they choose where to live, its more education, workplaces, suburbs, the vibe.

Im not sure transport or tunnel projects is what makes a city nicer or what people consider when they choose where to live, its more education, workplaces, suburbs, the vibe.
There is plenty of work in the Haifa and its suburbs and not just handlers at Haifa port, just look at the Matam hi-tech park. Education is top notch, especially the higher education. The port campus project is supposed to revive the neglected lower part of the city. The service sector cannot compete with Tel Aviv though, but nobody expects Haifa to become Tel Aviv.

One of the reason the city isn't attractive (yet) could be the pollution derived from the petrochemical sector in the Haifa Bay and the time bomb provides by the oil tanks that would blow up half the city if god forbid an industrial accident such as the one at AZF near Toulouse were to happen. It's difficult to blame people that don't want to settle next to a time bomb.

The good news is that, with the construction of the Krayot Bypass, the authorities want the dangerous gas depots, located next to the highway, to be buried underground, to prevent risks to the motorists driving there. It took the construction of a highway to take seriously the risks of having tons of flammable and toxic materials in the heart of an agglomeration of 600.000 residents.

Moreover the Krayot bypass will be a non-toll highway that would serve all residents, reduce daily commute times, and should seriously relieve the trafic in road 4, Krayot's main road artery. The Krayot should be beyond recognition after that :)

well I said what I think are the issues and we can debate in the bonbonim section. bypass, brt, highways are not what make a city more attractive.
but this is a photo forum so lets leave it at that.

Kiriat Ata
http://www.nrg.co.il/images/archive/465x349/1/395/713.jpg



Is it new?
Shopping centre?

One of the reason the city isn't attractive (yet) could be the pollution derived from the petrochemical sector in the Haifa Bay and the time bomb provides by the oil tanks that would blow up half the city if god forbid an industrial accident such as the one at AZF near Toulouse were to happen. It's difficult to blame people that don't want to settle next to a time bomb.



I think that the main reason why the city isn't attractive enough is lack of renovation in the downtown.

Is it new?
Shopping centre?

yes the new Azrieli mall, the second wing is u/c.
that giant entrance ball will be a feature in all Azrieli malls.

http://up353.siz.co.il/up2/mdmzyqmhryzz.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up3/m2dniizldn0m.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up2/mbey4vljmjzw.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up2/ezughdjmnz10.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up3/wz1mwgiyqty2.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

Cant believe a cruise goes to Haifa. What a waste hole!

kappa our purim clown all year round.

Purim street party yesterday
Mosh ben Ari on stage

http://up353.siz.co.il/up2/2z2yzmzjdmyy.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up1/m2wiyw2ammtj.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

kappa our purim clown all year round.

Shtok!
Did you even fast for purim?

stay indoors with a blanket while we party
:banana:

7TucYn1IW9Q

Meh, i got helloween.... i dress up as spiderman......not a clown

kappa our purim clown all year round.

u have to agree that Haifa and the Krayot in general is pretty ugly, u only have the bahai gardens, the german colony and what else? ugly shikuhim buildings

Meh, i got helloween.... i dress up as spiderman......not a clown

u just have to love him...! :lol:

krappa original del norte y imitacion krappa del sur.. jajajaja

krappa original del norte y imitacion krappa del sur.. jajajaja

did i say a lie? haifa is or isn't full of ugly shikunim buildings? yes or no?

no the carmel has none.
its not more than most cities and these areas are still far better than the downgraded areas in most cities

no the carmel has none.
its not more than most cities and these areas are still far better than the downgraded areas in most cities

most Israeli cities are pretty ugly with those "boxes"....i love Israel but u cant deny that, the kibbutz, moshavs and some settlements are the ones who are very pretty....but most cities..:ohno:

krappa original del norte y imitacion krappa del sur.. jajajaja

Krappa?!?!?! :?

Yerushalmi.....Tu madre es una puta fea!
Más feo que esta ciudad!
Usted tiene oficialmente inútil!

jajajajajajajaja! :)

Krappa?!?!?! :?

Yerushalmi.....Tu madre es una puta fea!
Más feo que esta ciudad!
Usted tiene oficialmente inútil!

jajajajajajajaja! :)

:rofl:

kappa's spanish reminds me of zohar's english...! :lol:

:rofl:

kappa's spanish reminds me of zohar's english...! :lol:

Thats what happens when you get Hernendo Javier Jesus Rodriguez from Bolivia to teach me University Business Spanish............. :bash:

Krappa?!?!?! :?

kappa + the crap out of his mouth = krappa :lol:

Usted tiene! eres.. jaja :lol:

shut it slut!

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/6099/gigapan.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/812/gigapan.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

WOW

Mauzer + wow = Wowzer :D

Amazing picture!

Problem with Haifa is, the downtown is dead and ugly. The Krayot's problem is that there's no center, no square, no nice shopping street, nothing really... everyone just goes to the Kiryon and that's it.

Haifa is pretty sloppy city....everything in the mountain and very much neglected......the center of the city really looks bad and there is just a handful of areas where you can develop. The rest of the area is in decay.........

Haifa is an industrial city so you really can't expect anything commercial from it. I agree that Haifa isn't nice, though.

Ashdod can be compared to Haifa........yet Ashdod looks more planned out and nicer.....

both have ports and industries......

Kappa, Ashdod is a lot newer than Haifa and Ashdod's location is more convenient since it doesn't have to deal with hills.

Why is Haifa so shabby? Was it always like that?

^^ neglect.......

Other than a few industries the town doesnt really have a vibe and many of the young go down to Tel Aviv to live

Why is Haifa so shabby? Was it always like that?

not shabby at all.
fantastic city.
dont listen to the two muppets statler and waldorf here..
you'll find more neglect in their brain cells

http://up353.siz.co.il/up3/y02c1tqnz2mm.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

new world class 30k stadium, new brt rapid bus system, carmel tunnels, port campus renovations, downtown renovations, new rambam childrens hospital and emergency ward, romema arena renovation and expansion, hadar renovations, state of the art new sea port terminal, 'krayot bypass' new highway, sea park hecht phase B extension, new infrastructure tunnels, kishon cleanup and metropolitan park, life sciences park, carmel academic center expansion, technion - 2011 chemistry nobel prize, new science garden, new technion dorms..

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/6099/gigapan.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/812/gigapan.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

What a view!

Haifa:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6864056352_493baba7f3_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7010170755_a852e414ab_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/6864057272_0e3b9c6418_b.jpg

:cheers:

Great photos MexicanBoy.

I totally loved Israel, its just incredible! I went were God was born, where he died, where he got crucified. It was just amazing, being where God walked and lived! Congratulations Israel, you have a beautiful country with very nice and intelligent people! I wanna come back so bad !

I wanna come back so bad !

but not as much as I want another trip to mexico and centroamérica

:)

Haha no! I want it more :lol:

Great photos MexicanBoy.

Thanks you have great photos too :)

There might be a possibility, that my wife gets postdoctoral grant to Haifa University. Then We move to Haifa for two years. Have to wait until the end of august for acceptance/rejection of the grant though. But for Haifa: It is a clear example of lost/misused potential it could have. Because... look at the scenery and landscape. Deciding by them- one of the best locations in Israel. What has Tel Aviv offer against that- complete nothing: polluted and awfully overpopulated Gush Dan on Sharon plains. There's pretty much nothing to offer in terms of landscape and nature- only artificial urban development. So its pitty, that Haifa has lost its great commercial and cultural potential as a vibrant Mediterranian seashore resort (like Nice and Cannes in France etc). I think its so called downtown should be torn down quickly and entirely along that industrial seaport and chemical factory and change the nature of the city, which could be more of San Francisco like with its supreme landscape and climate instead of dead pollution and ugly and sleepy krayotot. Clear exaple of how human misplanning (or no planning) can ruin the best nature can offer. Haifa needs a bold mayor like Antanas Mockus was in Bogota doing an urban revival back in the '90ties :S

has lost its great commercial and

hasnt lost anything. maybe not to its full potential because Haifa still needs a new marina and airport.
still Haifa is a great city. Apropos seashore, Haifa has much better beaches than Nice, Ive been to both.
In Nice the water is cold, cou ant swim like Haifa, the sand isnt as good + everything is ridiculous expensive.
Haifa not only can you swim, theres also great surfing (https://picasaweb.google.com/113744552887496817691) conditions because of the position of the mountain.
For culture theres more festivals than Nice that I can garantee you.
Nice doesnt have industry and hitech. its a touristy city of three months vacance season.
while Haifa isnt a show-off city, its a real city with working class people
but which also has many tourist attractions far more than just the Bahai gardens which everyone knows.
If youre looking for events next week for example, starts Haifa flower (http://www.haifaflower.co.il) exhibition and the Children theater festival (http://haifakids.co.il/).
There is also an International films festival (http://www.haifaff.co.il/), winter holidays festivals, summer outdoor events,
haifa symphony orchestra, theaters, annual student festivals et.
Once the new stadium is ready (see live (http://www.hec.co.il/שידור_חי)) Im sure there will be big concerts as well.

http://up353.siz.co.il/up1/0gywjfywjzxi.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)
folk dancing dado beach

^^ Oh please!
Haifa is boring city. Very boring.

Yersuhalmi, I have nothing against Haifa and I am not comparing Haifa and Nice and claiming that latter is better ;) Nice has just put more of its potential into real life than Haifa. I didn't like Nices stone beach aswell when I was there. But if you remind Haifa to someone, first thing they can say is: " umm...bahai gardens....pollution....industrial....noisy...rundown...why is it so then?

steriotypes built over time. like that its a blue collar city where everyone goes to sleep at 9 and theres no events.
If you live on a busy road in any major city in the world you have air and noise pollution.
when the factories in the industrial areas change to gas, the pollution will be reduced even more.
Most of haifa on the mountain actually has the best air quality and almost zero pollution
and instead of congested suburbs and another building next door in the windows you get green forests and sea views.
Many people who move from haifa to tel aviv complain they miss the sea view and the green around and the quiet and move away.
The trade of mountain living is that its not your typical dense city center but spread out somewhat closer to suburbia.

The city is now returning to the older urban centers. Take the templar colony which was almost abandoned and garages and look at the change.
It will take more time in Haifa because it doesnt have the economic real estate forces of a center of a big metro like tel aviv or jerusalem have.
the real estate prices of high end suburbs in Haifa have shot up about 40% in the last three years and construction tripled
In quality of life if you compare central tel aviv and the carmel then the carmel suburbs have far superior quality of life to offer a family.

^^ Oh please!
Haifa is boring city. Very boring.

because in tel aviv you party and go out every night, go to clubs and pubs three times a week and to a concert or opening of something every week.. lets get real, almost nobody lives like that and most people get tired of this lifestyle.
+ tel aviv party life is expensive. most people dont come with unlimited pockets in their twenties and thirties or they live without saving.

2 more of Haifa


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5467/7060049573_f3fa6e0b16_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/7060049567_976ed5c0d9_b.jpg

what is the last building?
I dont recognize it

Looks like a cathedral in the Colony........

Haifa Flower Exhibition
7-14.4.12

http://up353.siz.co.il/up2/0tn2yanu2zud.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up3/dnnyk1zq1njm.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up2/jzj5d3tnyyuk.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

2 more of Haifa




http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7186/7060049567_976ed5c0d9_b.jpg


thats the Church of Transfiguration on mt.Tabor , not in Haifa.

It is near Haifa, so I decided to posted :P

looking great :)

Haifa is the favorite city of Arab tourists in Israel. lol

It's a fact that Haifa doesn't live up to its full potential. You can really see the problem around Kikar Paris, in Downtown Haifa. It just looks abandoned at pretty much any time of the day. Renovating the German colony was a great start, but it shouldn't end there. Derech Jaffa, which links it with the Downtown looks very shabby. There is some street life on the Carmel, but there is virtually nothing down there and that's a pity. And Hadar doesn't look much better...

On Haifa's outskirts you have all these crazy malls, which are really part of the problem. Because people just go there, instead of the town...

It's a fact that Haifa doesn't live up to its full potential. You can really see the problem around Kikar Paris, in Downtown Haifa. It just looks abandoned at pretty much any time of the day. Renovating the German colony was a great start, but it shouldn't end there. Derech Jaffa, which links it with the Downtown looks very shabby. There is some street life on the Carmel, but there is virtually nothing down there and that's a pity. And Hadar doesn't look much better...

On Haifa's outskirts you have all these crazy malls, which are really part of the problem. Because people just go there, instead of the town...

hundreds of thousands visited both the childrens theatre festival and flower festival. the city has the film festival, december holidays festival, year round conventions and events, museums and lots of cultural events. I dont know if this 'living up to its potential' is just empty words, sure it can do much more what city cant do more? every city has limitations, certain planning and economic problems.
Haifa could use an international airport, a new marina, more beachfront areas for hotels and better city planning to take advantage of the seafront and city centers but overall its living to its potential within the constraints of the industry and land use.

Still Haifa can be a great holiday destination, so maybe its also down to bad marketing or focusing on bahai gardens but not much else.
you have the galilee nearby for excursions, great open beaches, museums, swimming and surfing, the bahai gardens, carmelites, akko nearby, carmel forest reserves for hiking trails, carmel forest spa, the haifa zoo, csome unique cafes pubs and restaurants, cinemas, the festivals and outdoor events. The new stadium will make it possible to host much larger sport and music events. A family can easily fill a week or more of vacation. If tourists want to see the bahai gardens and hop on the bus straight to nazareth for one church and not much else, its also their loss.

Haifa is the favorite city of Arab tourists in Israel. lol

haha yeah i know heaps of iraqis their.

the Haifa International Flower Exhibition
7-14.4.12
some more

http://up353.siz.co.il/up1/izodqz4whnd4.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up1/mmtdhnzgyq0j.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://i43.tinypic.com/33vf1ue.jpg

http://up353.siz.co.il/up2/gizwazutz2zz.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://i39.tinypic.com/f1ijux.jpg

http://up353.siz.co.il/up1/mzi2jndnwynj.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://i39.tinypic.com/23vccgy.jpg

http://up353.siz.co.il/up2/yiwmxlnyztwo.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up2/mmy2e5nodgyd.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up3/niwqwi31my2g.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up3/jlwozhmdbelz.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

International Airport in Haifa? What are you smoking man...

International Airport in Haifa? What are you smoking man...

I dont smoke anything but an Intl airport is very needed in Haifa and it would handle at the very least 2-4 million passengers a year. The only reason it hasnt happened yet is pressure from Natbag unions + the "nimby" attitude of some other cities nearby.
Not only huge number of outgoing flights, charters and holiday trips to europe and short distance destinations which from the north is about 1-1.5 million that have to go 1.2 hour trips through Natbag. Add incoming tourism, dont forget pilgrims sites to the north, christian, bahai, jewish.. roughly same number which can easily double. Then you have agriculture industry and goods import/export hub connected with Haifa port, add to that connecting flights, domestic flights.
A Haifa airport will at the very lowest get 2-3 million passengers a year, which also justifies another northern airport. could be more than double depending on tourism.

Haifa doesn't need an international airport right now. What Haifa needs is to develop its downtown area, beach front and the government needs to further develop roads, railways and other forms of public transportation, as well as create far more high paying jobs and tourist attractions than there are today. All of which are being done, but the current offers do not justify a new airport.
Besides, when the next wave of infrastructure is finished, it will take far less time to get anywhere in the north, making a new airport even less needed with current attractions and numbers of people coming.

If you ask me, a new airport in Eilat is mostly a necessity to get the old one out of the city itself and let the city develop. But in terms of people coming to the country, Natbag is more than enough at the moment and any new international airport is a waste of money.

Of course the city needs an intl airport.
But it is the world's first city to have a UFO night-landing strip :)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up3/5m4mmdn0y2yj.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

Can you back this by numbers?
If the reason is so some tourists wont have to spend an hour on the road getting from Natbag to Haifa, I don't agree.

you are crazy, yerushalmi! The distance from Haifa to Ben Gurion Airport is roughly 115km. That's less than 1.5 hours per car. By train it's about the same! That's shorter than from London Heathrow to St. Pancras-King's Cross by tube! And Natbag has only about 11 million passengers per year, while its maximum capacity is 16 million.

One international airport is more than enough for a country the size of Israel, because the majority of population concentrates in a pretty dense space alone the coastline. this area is roughly 150km North to South, and 50km East to West (but only between TLV and Jerusalem). No one will come to Israel just for Haifa! The majority of people who come as tourists, either take tours around the country, or they head straight to either the dead sea or Eilat. Hence all the seasonal charter flights to Eilat.

And as I said, Ben Gurion is far from reaching its capacity. The way it is right now, it could handle 5 million people more. So building an extra international airport so close to it, would be an extreme waste of tax money and plain stupid.

I dont smoke anything but an Intl airport is very needed in Haifa and it would handle at the very least 2-4 million passengers a year. The only reason it hasnt happened yet is pressure from Natbag unions + the "nimby" attitude of some other cities nearby.
Not only huge number of outgoing flights, charters and holiday trips to europe and short distance destinations which from the north is about 1-1.5 million that have to go 1.2 hour trips through Natbag. Add incoming tourism, dont forget pilgrims sites to the north, christian, bahai, jewish.. roughly same number which can easily double. Then you have agriculture industry and goods import/export hub connected with Haifa port, add to that connecting flights, domestic flights.
A Haifa airport will at the very lowest get 2-3 million passengers a year, which also justifies another northern airport. could be more than double depending on tourism.

There is only one problem: There is no place to build big international airport in Haifa. Zevulun valley can be an alternative, but it will be a big hazard to the residents of the Kratyot.


you are crazy, yerushalmi! The distance from Haifa to Ben Gurion Airport is roughly 115km. That's less than 1.5 hours per car. By train it's about the same! That's shorter than from London Heathrow to St. Pancras-King's Cross by tube! And Natbag has only about 11 million passengers per year, while its maximum capacity is 16 million.

One international airport is more than enough for a country the size of Israel, because the majority of population concentrates in a pretty dense space alone the coastline. this area is roughly 150km North to South, and 50km East to West (but only between TLV and Jerusalem). No one will come to Israel just for Haifa! The majority of people who come as tourists, either take tours around the country, or they head straight to either the dead sea or Eilat. Hence all the seasonal charter flights to Eilat.

And as I said, Ben Gurion is far from reaching its capacity. The way it is right now, it could handle 5 million people more. So building an extra international airport so close to it, would be an extreme waste of tax money and plain stupid.

I don't agree. Just think about let's say someone from Kiryat Shmona or the Golan or Upper Galilee that have to ride 2-3 hours to Ben Gurion Airport. It's insane! We need one airport in the north and one in the south (between Beer Sheva and Kiryat Gat). One international airport is not enough.

Of course Haifa needs an intl airport. Just the Haifa greater metro is 1 million Nazareth metro is 200k and add to that all the rest of the north. Theres 1.5 mil annual trips by north pop. abroad + produce trucks, just imagine how much to and from natbag traffic it will lift having another airport. Fact remains Natbag are afraid of competition and have a strong lobby. Anyone Hadera upwards will prefer a Haifa airport. The airport will handle 2-3 million passengers at least and more likely double, that figure is from a survey done by the transport ministry some years ago. All the excuses for why not are b/s.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/3388/airrbk.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/airrbk.jpg/)

There's enough room if you think out of the box.

Living in the luz if you think Haifa needs an airport.

Grab the train and go to B"G 2000

I don't agree. Just think about let's say someone from Kiryat Shmona or the Golan or Upper Galilee that have to ride 2-3 hours to Ben Gurion Airport. It's insane! We need one airport in the north and one in the south (between Beer Sheva and Kiryat Gat). One international airport is not enough.

omg a 2 to 3 hour ride? You are kidding right? Seriously, you guys should get out of Israel to get to know the real world! 2 to 3 hours is absolutely normal. That's not even far, for reaching the next international airport!

Look at the distances in Germany for example. From Munich to Frankfurt it's over 3 hours. And Munich (38 million passengers) and Frankfurt (56) together almost handle ten times the passengers of Natbag airport.

Or look at Austria. The number of inhabitants is approximately the same, yet Vienna Airport handles twice the passengers of Natbag. So if you believe Israel needs a second major international airport you are clearly delusional.

The circumstances are totally different. The public transport is different.
The number of outgoing and incoming tourists using airports to fly to vacations is different because we dont have fast train links and tourism to neighboring countries like a country in the middle of europe. The geographical layout is different.
Austia has domestic airports that act like international airports with intl flights and charters, thats with metro cities much smaller than Haifa and the north. Vienna and other airports that you mention - a lot of the passenger count is from being big connection hubs, while most of the traffic if not all in Natbag is point to point so it actually uses the terminal.
Im sorry you cant compare not austria and certainly not bigger countries. Every case is different. I can give you oppposite examples.

I don't understand the Frankfurt-Munich example. They both have huge international airports.

One international airport is not enough. We need at least another one (preferably in the north).

No one will use the airport in the north. Such a waste of time and money....

what will u use it for?
to go to E. Europe and Turkey?

Get real........... focus on Eilat airport and try to make it a hub.... Israel is not a big country

No one will use the airport in the north. Such a waste of time and money....

what will u use it for?
to go to E. Europe and Turkey?

Get real........... focus on Eilat airport and try to make it a hub.... Israel is not a big country

I guess around 2 million people is no one for you.

I guess around 2 million people is no one for you.

If 2 million people were 3-4 hours away, i would agree...
but when you have 2 million people that are a 1-2 hours away from Lod...i dont agree..

Dont forget air/traffic pollution.... you will make life a living hell for people, just because ahmad in nazareth wants to go and mishpachat bitton need a better route to go from K. Shmona..

Thank you for the advice, I think theres exactly the same air pollution in any airport
and any highway and I dont see any city not having them because of that.
Having 2 million passengers and tourists drive 1-2 hours also creates pollution, accidents and traffic jams
not to mention wasting time, fuel and transport wear and tear and so on.

rheintram, both Munich and Frankfurt are hubs serving international connections. Vienna too.
But that only proves that Israel doesn't need two "full-scale" Intl. airports close to populated areas.
Most of the time Ben-Gurion is empty place. Really. You have inbound wave in the evening and outbound wave at night. All around are "lonely" flights entering/exiting each half an hour or even less..
Eilat area is the only place that actually needs Intl.airport for tourists.

Geting from Kiryat Shmona to Lod is more than 1-2 hours.
Don't forget that the roads in the north are mainly not highways.

There is also traffic pollution in the center. By puting the airport in the right place you can reduce the air pollution and noise.

Just think how many cars/buses/trucks go everyday from north or south to Ben Gurion. The traffic jams are also polluting.

elab, when natbag wants more funds they cry that they are "hardly handling all the traffic"
and when they come to block another airport then the tune changes to "natbag is hardly full"
:)

^^ :D
(BTW, LLBG/BGN 24-hour timetable is in front of my eyes right now :))

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/3388/airrbk.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/airrbk.jpg/)

There's enough room if you think out of the box.

Only one runway? Not sure it's a good idea.
Plus, there is not enough room for PITs.

the best solution for airports is into the sea thats for sure, one runway or not.

Greens fight transportation ministry not to build electric network for existing railway line "to avoid demage to coastal and sea shore view "........ you want them to accept huge artificial installation like airport in the sea?!!! :D

Only one runway? Not sure it's a good idea.
Plus, there is not enough room for PITs.

One runway is fine... better than none. There are a lot of international airports that have only one runway.
PIT? do you mean places for the planes to park? I Just scribbled something, the current airport's area is bigger than what I drew.

Greens fight transportation ministry not to build electric network for existing railway line "to avoid demage to coastal and sea shore view "........ you want them to accept huge artificial installation like airport in the sea?!!! :D

The greens are always the problem. To them we need to come back to the stone age.
Besides, this area of the sea is polluted anyhow. Maybe they wouldn't care...

and.... it's my idea. I don't see this happen in any time in the future.

The Haifa masterplan app'd removal of the current airport completely from the bay.
The whole area will be a seaport expansion plan and thats for certain.
Carmel port was only stage A and the airport will be part of the much bigger port terminal.
So in any case it cant be there and shouldnt be there.

on the issue of the rail electrification the greens are 100 percent right.
it should be done in a tunnel like carmel tunnels.

The Haifa masterplan app'd removal of the current airport completely from the bay.
The whole area will be a seaport expansion plan and thats for certain.
Carmel port was only stage A and the airport will be part of the much bigger port terminal.
So in any case it cant be there and shouldnt be there.


Of course it won't happen.... it's just an idea. A good one IMO...


on the issue of the rail electrification the greens are 100 percent right.
it should be done in a tunnel like carmel tunnels.

I thought so too until I've been told how wrong I am...
Electrifying the rail will take at most 2 years, to tunnel the rail it will take more the 7.
that also means that all other electrified rail will be delayed, such as the rail to Jerusalem. Do you want to wait to a train in Binyanei HaUma with a diesel train? it almost impossible at the Shalom station, needless i to say what will happen in Jerusalem.
the so precious view that the "greens" are so defending on, shrinks to the amount of pollution the can be prevented and money that can be saved at those 5 years or so...

The tunnel is essential, but only after the electrification will be assemble.

אז לא צריך לחשמל את כל קוי הרכבת ובכל מקרה זה יקרה בחלקים, אז אין בעיה שיחשמלו את הקו לירושלים
ובנתיים אפשר לבצע מנהרה בחיפה. את מנהרות הכרמל עשו תוך שנתיים לא שבע

yerushalmi, here is the answer of IR that addresses the issue of Haifa railway electrification:

http://blog.rail.co.il/?p=296

Don't believe Haifa's mayor (or the greens) on this one. The argument wasn't about electrification or to move the line underground. The train company said they would lower the line so it'll be underground, and it can be discussed in details, but that they will not do it as part of the electrification project. They will do it when they have the budget and they are done with much more important programs that have already been approved.

IIRC, they agreed to move the line underground for just 1.5~ kilometers, where the rail lines block the beach. On the other 8~ kilometers, there wasn't a beach anyways.
Regarding hiding anything, or electromagnetic radiation or whatever else they said, that was all lies to get the support of people who didn't look into it.
And all of the nice projects in Haifa that Yahav wants to do? I'll believe it only once they open. We have seen cool projects proposed, and even approved, only to see them get canceled later.

Israeli greens are retards, they are probably the only environmentalists in the whole world who prefer Diesel trains over electric ones. Fucking morons!

And that retarded sea airport plan in haMifratz would finally ruin the whole life in Northern Haifa. I lived six years in a city where we have a small airport in the middle of the city and despite strict noise regulations (latest flight incoming at about 10pm) it's fucking annoying for the inhabitants... An airport handling wide body aircraft directly in the Haifa conurbation would create horrible noise.

Anyways it's not gonna happen, B"H!

It's almost final that the new airport will be in the south of the country, a bit north of Eilat.
The idea is simple and somewhat justifiable - getting the airport out of Eilat will help the city grow (It is in the center of the city), and a new, bigger airport would also be used as a hub and people who want to go to south Jordan or the Sinai peninsula could land there and maybe spend some time in Eilat.

The greens in the country are sometimes quite stupid, that much was proven countless times before.

What Haifa needs is to make itself an interesting, fun city. If haifa will continue to develop at its current pace, it will never catch up to Tel- Aviv in terms of quality of living. And any talk about raising kids is meaningless - you can always live in one of the satellite cities of Tel Aviv which have better schools, better high schools and close proximity to Tel Aviv for nightlife, culture and anything else.

youre mixing up everything.
Eilats new airport has nothing to do with this.
Its between another intl airport next to haifa or 20 min from be'er sheva and other locations.
An airport in the north is a must, even two decades ago everyone understood it thats why the plan for Haifa international airport was made in the first place.
Sure it doesnt have to be in the middle of the bay the decision to remove the current airport is a good one but the indecision not to build another new second airport in the north is a terrible one. instead of just talking about potential, this airport will allow haifa to fulfill it.

Uh, aren't three international airports in a tiny country of seven million too much? Besides, Haifa is just an hour and a half away from natbag!

^^ Uh, no. It has very little to do with population size (examples crete, bulgaria, hawaii..) but current and forecasted usage patterns, not only of passengers. And yes, 1.5-2 hours to get to an airport does justify another airport.

screw you guys! I love my airport!!! :tongue:

It's not that close to civil population; B"G is closer to Or Yehuda, Yahud, Shoham and other small towns more than mine is to any house.
Secondly, it's a 2km away from Merkazit HaMifrats which have most of bus transportation in Krayot and Haifa, have a train station (which in the future will be 2), and will have a cable-car to Technion and Haifa university someday. all you need is a shuttle from there to the airport and you have perfect transportation center.

My airport is fabulous!

Some shots left after recent visits:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/DSC_0049_1280.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/2012-05-08_10-57-30_122m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/2012-05-08_10-57-47_47m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/2012-05-08_10-58-00_452m.jpg

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x314/elyab/City/Haifa/2012-05-08_14-03-53_406m.jpg

Haifa :drool:

Technion student day 2012

http://up353.siz.co.il/up3/whjd0ynemqr5.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up2/yalxywzzvmoh.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up2/ymm10iziymzk.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

http://up353.siz.co.il/up1/kiu3jzz2mnxg.jpg (http://www.siz.co.il/)

^^ Nerdfest........

:D good place for our fellow forumer to go to........