Haifa Municipality Eviction Attempt at Haredi School Ends in Police Intervention

Haifa municipality officials attempted to forcibly evict students from the Beit Yaakov school in the Neve Sha'anan neighborhood overnight Thursday, leading to damage to the building and the removal of mezuzahs before police halted the operation. The independent education network, which operates the school, filed an urgent appeal to the court, claiming the eviction was carried out without notice and in violation of a previous court order.

The Beit Yaakov school, serving approximately 350 students, has operated in the building for decades under a municipal allocation. The dispute arose when the municipality sought to revoke the allocation, citing low student numbers in a section previously used by another school. The independent education network contested this, arguing the entire building was needed for its growing student population.

The matter escalated to the courts, which initially rejected the revocation and ordered the municipality to reconsider the allocation in good faith. The district court also ruled that the schools should not be evicted until a new decision was made. However, approximately two months ago, the municipality held another discussion and decided to reject the allocation, a move the school administration claims defied the court's instructions.

During the eviction attempt, city inspectors and the head of the property department were present. A city council member and chairman of Degel HaTorah in Haifa, Miki Alper, intervened, confronting the police and ultimately leading to officers ordering the municipal workers to leave the premises. Alper stated the action was contrary to the court's ruling and was conducted "like thieves in the night."

The municipality responded that it acted within its authority and according to law, and that any further claims would be addressed in court. The school administration is expected to continue legal and administrative efforts to secure its continued use of the building. The case is scheduled to be heard by Judge Baumgart on September 14.