Knesset Committee Criticizes Herzliya's Limited Operation of Separate Religious Beach

The Knesset's Special Committee for Public Petitions held a discussion on Wednesday regarding the Herzliya municipality's decision to operate the separate religious beach for only three months, from June 1 to August 31, while other city beaches remain open for about six months. This discrepancy has raised allegations of discrimination against the religious, traditional, and ultra-Orthodox communities in Herzliya.

Barak Potulski, a bathing beach inspector from the Ministry of the Interior, noted that while local authorities have the discretion to set operating periods for separate beaches, Herzliya is unique in having a shorter season for its religious beach compared to other beaches. He cited Tel Aviv's separate beach being open year-round and Ashdod's for eight to nine months as examples.

Rafi Kadushin, a Herzliya city council member, revealed that he submitted three proposals in recent years to extend the religious beach's operating period, all of which were rejected. He also highlighted that while other city beaches, including those designated for disabled and dog owners, operate for about half a year, the religious beach functions only for three months. Kadushin added that lifeguard services cover about six months, and only enforcement of gender separation is needed for the rest of the season. He further claimed the religious beach's length was reduced from approximately 600 meters to 160 meters.

The Herzliya municipality defended its decision, stating that the religious beach was historically open only in July and August and was extended to June two years ago to align with the ultra-Orthodox community's summer vacation. The municipality argued that surveys showed no significant demand for an earlier opening and noted only one public complaint on the matter in the past three years.

Shai Glick, CEO of the BeTzelmo organization, criticized the municipality for inadequate accessibility of the religious beach for people with disabilities and accused it of neglecting the needs of the religious and traditional communities. Committee chairwoman MK Osher Shklem expressed strong criticism of the municipality's decision and absence of representatives at the hearing. She called the situation "a serious problem of discrimination" and announced plans to appeal to the Interior Minister and local government authorities to intervene. Shklem urged Herzliya's mayor to reconsider the decision and promised to fight it using all available means.