Kiryat Sanz Beach in Netanya was closed to swimming on the seventh evening of Passover following the collapse of the cliff. At the same time, a tragic incident occurred last Friday in which two young brothers, students of the 'Tifrah' yeshiva, drowned.
The difficult events have once again brought to light the status of the separate beach, which is used by the religious and ultra-Orthodox public.
The chairman of the Gal faction in the city council, Dov Shtemer, warned that despite repeated requests over the years, sufficient actions have not been taken to upgrade the beach and adapt it to the number of visitors and the safety and accessibility requirements. According to him, the current reality, along with the recent events, requires immediate and thorough treatment to prevent further dangers.
According to the council member representing the Sanz Hasidim, one of the main problems is the lack of awareness among the public using the separate beach: many are not exposed to up-to-date information through digital means, and rely mainly on publications in printed media.
Because of this, there is a concern that vacationers, especially during the off-season, will arrive at the beach without knowing that it is closed and without rescue services, which poses a real danger to life.
Because of this, he called for the launch of an urgent, clear, and tailored publication for the ultra-Orthodox public, which would clarify the condition of the beach and the dangers associated with staying there.
Shtemer emphasized the urgent need to arrange a temporary solution for the upcoming bathing season, by creating a safe alternative access to the beach, which will allow operation under controlled conditions and with the required safety measures.
According to him, avoiding temporary regulation could lead to the public continuing to come to the location without supervision, as happened recently, thus increasing the risk of further injuries, God forbid.
The council member also raised the issue of ongoing discrimination against the separate beach, which he said opens each year later than the rest of the city's beaches, sometimes only after the intervening days, despite high demand.
He also noted that this is the only beach that is not properly accessible to the disabled and strollers, while other beaches in the city enjoy advanced and complete infrastructure.
Stammer demanded to examine the establishment of two separate bathing complexes, for men and women, that would operate simultaneously, rather than in the existing format of division by days and hours.
He said that, given the size of the public using the beach and the public representation on the city council, this is a reasonable and necessary demand. He reiterated the need to build a breakwater, which will contribute to the safety of bathers, especially in light of the large number of children who frequent the place.
He further emphasized that any future arrangement must be made in consultation with the city's rabbis and public representatives, to ensure full compliance with the public's needs in terms of modesty and sensitivity. He said this is a basic need that will allow the public to enjoy an appropriate and safe bathing place.
The chairman of the Gal faction presented a series of immediate steps that must be taken: widespread advertising in the Haredi media, complete closure of access to the beach until arrangements are made, posting inspectors to prevent people from going down to the site, finding a temporary solution for the bathing season, and later promoting permanent solutions for accessibility, safety, and expanding the bathing area.
Rabbi Shtamer notes that the issue is being addressed with high priority, and that Mayor Avi Salama is working to promote quick and effective solutions.
Within this framework, a well-organized message was distributed to residents via mailboxes, along with a letter from rabbis calling on the public to be careful and adhere to the instructions until the situation is fully resolved.
