Zikim Beach. Now deserted
צילום: דני סלומון
Southern beach closes due to Qassams
Clean and beautiful Zikim Beach will not open this year after rocket threat scared off both visitors, franchisers
For years the Zikim Beach south of Ashkelon has been a major attraction for tens of thousands of Israelis thanks to its vast sand dunes and pollution-free waters. However, this year the beach will remain closed, after the incessant Qassam threat in the area has scared off both bathers and franchisers.
Over the last five years the flow of visitors to the beautiful beach has increasingly dwindled, as rocket attacks became more frequent and in light of the absence of fortified structures at the place.
As a result, the franchiser who has been operating the beach until recently, informed the local council that he is no longer interested in doing so because of the heavy financial losses he has suffered.
A tender for operating the beach was consequently published, but not a single offer was received. As a result, Local Council Head Meir Farjun decided to close the beach.
"It really pains me to do it, but I have no other choice. Visitors don't come to the beach, and therefore there are no revenues. The local council doesn't have the money to keep the beach open, no franchiser is interested in operating it and unfortunately the State isn't really trying to help."
