Israel's Mikveh Israel Agricultural School to Open Public Walkways Within Two Years
The Subcommittee on Appeals of the National Council has unanimously rejected four appeals against the new master plan for Mikveh Israel, approved by the district committee in September 2024. This decision, the highest and final planning authority, paves the way for the plan to take effect. The plan balances the continued operation of Mikveh Israel as an agricultural school, student security, and preservation of the site, while gradually opening pedestrian and bicycle paths to the public.
The approved phased plan includes a first stage within two years, opening a passage from the western entrance on Levi Eshkol Street in Holon, through the Ficus area and Washingtonia Avenue northwards, connecting to Route 44 and Ariel Sharon Park. The second stage, after five years, will open a southern entrance bypassing the historic core to the east. The third stage, seven years after plan approval, will open an eastern entrance through the botanical garden to the village core, provided it does not harm school activities or student safety.
Mikveh Israel, the first agricultural school established in the Land of Israel over 150 years ago, spans more than 3,000 dunams between Holon, Azor, Tel Aviv, and Ariel Sharon Park. Despite opposition from the school fearing damage to its landscape and student independence, the committee maintained the plan’s priority to protect the school’s activities and prevent its lands from becoming a public park.
The committee rejected demands from Holon municipality and residents to open larger areas including the historic core and open spaces, emphasizing the law’s goal to safeguard the school. It also dismissed the school’s claim that public access must be accompanied by educational activities, ruling that limited public passage serving the school does not violate the law. No mandatory fencing along the paths was imposed; any fencing will be considered during permit issuance and must blend with the environment. The committee ruled that fencing the historic core would create artificial separation and is therefore unnecessary.
Public access will mainly be allowed during times when the school is inactive. The committee did not require 24-hour or seasonal access but encouraged the school and authorities to negotiate extended opening hours.
