It's beach time
Israel's beaches are popular throughout the year, yet official bathing season will open this weekend. Police instruct local authorities to patrol for threats
The 142 beaches along Israel's Mediterranean coast will officially open Friday despite threats of lifeguards to go on strike in protest of a reform planned by the Interior Ministry. Last year, as well as in 2005, there were 35 drowning cases throughout Israel's beaches.
Israel's coast stretches over 190 miles of which only 7 percent (circa 12 miles) are declared public beaches. For many decades, Israel's undeclared beaches attracted the public despite the fact that they do not offer any services.
Two years ago, Israel's Nature and Parks Authority and the Union of Local Authorities launched a program jointly sponsoring sanitary services of the beaches. A survey published Monday indicates an improvement in the overall condition: 42 Mediterranean beach were rated "clean" to "very clean" compared to 4 "dirty" or "very dirty" spots.
Security officials ordered local authorities to patrol the beaches daily for potential threats.
