Located halfway between Haifa and Tel-Aviv, Hadera aims to quickly compete with the metropolitan areas of central Israel, given the ambitious scope of its development projects. While the city is now among the new centers welcoming French olim, leMag' wanted to learn more about this Israeli city that is increasingly making headlines.Spotlight.
Zvika Gendelman, A mayor of a city full of energy
It was in 2014 that Zvika Gendelman took charge of Hadera as mayor under the Yesh Atid label. At nearly 60 years old, this reserve officer, ranked 'general', is preparing to implement one of the most ambitious projects on the western shore of his city. A gigantic construction site that is part of a global strategy for development and growth of the metropolitan area, from strengthening transportation infrastructure to boosting real estate construction, including job creation and tourist attractions. LeMag' interviewed this far-sighted mayor...
Since the land purchase by Yehoshua Hankin from an Arab Effendi in 1891, what have been the key stages in the development of the city of Hadera?
This purchase represents the most significant acquisition during the first aliyah. In 1896, while the yishouv had only 35 houses and three main streets, its inhabitants received funds from Baron de Rothschild to drain the marshes through eucalyptus planting, thereby reducing the number of malaria victims. The development of Hadera, which officially became a city in 1952, continued into the 1970s according to opportunities and history, such as the Givat Olga neighborhood, for example, founded in 1949 by European immigrants who had passed through China after the Holocaust. The city now has nearly 100,000 inhabitants.
To date, what are Hadera's assets while a majority of Israelis aspire to leave the Center?
Education is a priority for the city, which offers a wide range of educational and academic institutions, from mamlachti to independent networks. Hadera has two unique democratic schools, regional faculties as well as a campus, the Technoda, which includes notably an observatory, modern laboratories, an auditorium and a technopark. The city also abounds with community centers, libraries and sports infrastructure, thus multiplying the number of cultural and leisure activities. We have chosen to define Hadera through the label 'city of energy', notably because Israel's largest industrial complexes are installed there such as the power plant operated by the National Electric Company, the natural gas reserve located off the coast, and the desalination plant.
Built on an area of nearly 53,000 km2, Hadera is far from having realized its full potential yet. What are the upcoming projects?
Hadera is investing enormously in terms of sustainable development, particularly in green and environmental energy, for the benefit of its residents' quality of life. Through the 'city of energy' label and the new 'Energy Park' business zone established over nearly 650,000 m2, where we plan to establish a startup incubator and a university center, we aspire to create numerous jobs. We are also focusing on strengthening the western zone of the city, which will represent a definite growth lever for Hadera. This major project, whose construction should begin at the latest this year, plans for modern and innovative development of the 7 km of beach with the creation of new neighborhoods, promenades, shopping complexes, tourist centers and leisure zones. A new attraction hub dedicated to the city's residents but also to Israelis in general, foreign visitors and tourists.
Since the early 2000s, Hadera has attracted a growing number of Jews who made aliyah from France, thus becoming a reference city for French aliyah. Can we say that the municipality has implemented a specific integration strategy?
Hadera benefits from a long tradition of welcoming olim from around the world. As early as 1912, it was already welcoming 40 families who had made aliyah from Yemen. It is clear that faced with the increase in French aliyah, Hadera actively participates in immigrant integration. To date, the municipality offers concrete solutions in terms of education, employment, culture and social protection while nearly 200 francophone families are evolving in close connection with the entire city community. And I call out to French Jews: Hadera is happy to welcome you with warmth and love!
