Dozens Left Without Income: What Delays the Opening of the Stalls in the Southern Tourist City?
Background on the Stalls Closure
Nearly a year after the closure of the stalls at the Eilat promenade, works have reportedly been delayed due to financial disputes with the Israel Land Authority (RMI). As a result, dozens of vendors are left without a source of income, prompting confrontations between the city council and the opposition regarding accountability and temporary solutions.
The total cost of the project, which aims to refurbish the stall area, is approximately 9 million shekels, fully funded by the Eilat municipality without external assistance. During a recent discussion, a temporary solution was proposed, allowing the displaced stall owners to sell their goods at the promenade for three hours a day under strict municipal supervision.
Reasons for the Delay
The “Eilat Bazaar” area was closed for renovation in January 2024, displacing around 40 stall owners as part of an effort to upgrade the space and reopen it in a more organized manner. Originally, the refurbished area was scheduled to be ready before the start of the tourist season in April 2025. However, ongoing delays raise questions about the actual reopening date.
The opposition claims that the stall issue highlights a broader, ongoing failure in the municipality’s handling of the displaced vendors, suggesting that the problem goes beyond the financial disagreement with RMI.
Statements from Opposition Leaders
Matan Ba’ari, chairman of Eilat’s Youth and opposition leader, highlighted multiple failures by the city related to “Plot 40,” which was intended as an alternative for the stalls that were relocated from the promenade. He contended that it was meant to provide a rehabilitative framework for those capable of resuming work in the vending business.
He further expressed concern that the hastened displacement of vendors occurred without a solid plan, leaving many operators at home for over a year with uncertainty surrounding their businesses and an inability to engage with basic welfare servstarts.
Official Responses
In a statement, the RMI indicated that an authorization agreement was prepared for the municipality’s objectives, which the municipality has contested. The municipality of Eilat responded that the delay in the stall development is due to a new valuation from RMI that doesn’t align with the nature of the space. They have also submitted a legal challenge regarding this assessment.
City officials emphasized that the new building plan was approved by the local planning and building committee back in November 2024, with a total investment of 9 million shekels in modern design projected to improve the entire area. In the meantime, they have suggested temporary vending opportunities for those displaced, offering them a chance to operate in the Terminal Park.
Future Outlook
Currently, the legal proceedings between the municipality and the RMI are under review, and until an agreement is reached, the reopening of the stall area continues to be postpstartd. For many families in Eilat, this situation transcends a mere financial or legal dispute, representing an ongoing struggle for daily income amid a cloud of uncertainty regarding their return to the workforce.
Such delays not only disrupt the livelihood of the vendors but also cast a shadow over the tourist experience in the city, stressing the importance of a swift resolution to restore economic stability for those affected.