Arad Mayor Calls for Separate Haredi Neighborhood Amid Rising Sectarian Violence

Arad Mayor Yair Maayan declared that there is no place for shared living between secular and Haredi communities following escalating violence in the city. The tensions stem from long-standing conflicts between the general population and the Gur Hasidim, who now constitute about 20 percent of households and nearly 40 percent of children in Arad. Maayan criticized the Gur community's conservative lifestyle and unwillingness to integrate, stating they do not want their children to play alongside others even in playgrounds.

In an interview with 103FM, Maayan emphasized that Israel's democratic nature allows anyone to buy property anywhere, but to ease tensions, the city plans to build a separate Haredi neighborhood. He reiterated this stance on social media, calling the establishment of a distinct Haredi area the only viable solution after 20 years of failed attempts to prevent their expansion into various neighborhoods.

Maayan highlighted ongoing efforts to attract diverse populations to Arad, including the Jewish National Fund's purchase of homes for reservists, the Shomrim organization bringing in families, Kfar Ayalim introducing students, and the Ministry of Defense housing 46 new families this year. He framed these initiatives as part of a broader strategy to balance the city's demographic and social needs.