Interior Minister Aryeh Deri is expected to tell the High Court of Justice he is weighing accepting the plan to incorporate Bat Yam into the Tel Aviv/Yaffo Municipality in 2023.

Bat Yam turned to the High Court of Justice in 2014 against the Interior Minister who wished to probe the possibility of dividing the income of Bat Yam, Rishon L’Tzion, Holon and Tel Aviv/Yaffo. A committee was formed and it submitted its recommendations to the minister, recommending merging Bat Yam with Tel Aviv/Yaffo.

A new planning entity is expected to be formed in the near future to begin the transition, which only begin officially with the mayoral elections in 2023, at which time they will elect a mayor of the new united city.

Deri explains this is vital towards extricating Bat Yam from severe economic deficit. Hence, he is weighing the recommendation, which will go into effect in 2023. During the coming years, the Interior and Finance Ministries will work together on gradually incorporating Bat Yam into Tel Aviv/Yaffo.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)