by Dana Zenati, Eilat Municipal Spokesperson

The large number of residents of northern Israel streaming to Eilat to escape the fighting is continuing. Tens of thousands of residents of  northern towns and settlements have already arrived, and Eilat is overflowing.

Immediately upon the falling of the first rockets a week ago Sunday, Eilat mayor Meir Yitzhak Halevy ordered the establishing of a headquarters in the municipality offices for the purpose of organizing local host families for families from the north.  Many Eilat families opened their homes to these families from the north, in addition to the many families already hosting friends and family members who fled south.  There are even circumstances of families in Eilat hosting tens of guests.

By last week, the mayor had already directed the Matnas Jewish Community Centers Association to open a summer day camp for children of families from the north.  As of today, there are tens of children participating in this camp, staffed by Matnas personnel, which operates from the "Berishit" Center every day until 1:00 p.m.  In addition, residents from the north are invited to participate in the summer activities of the Matnas centers as part of the "Eilat - A City without Violence" project which includes weekly movie marathons, swimming at the municipal pool, Matnas neighborhood center activities, youth parties and sport activities at the local beaches.

In addition, Mr. Itzhak Halevy has asked the municipal Tourist Patrol to allow residents from the north to erect tents on the Eilat public beaches including the Sun Bay Beach.   Drinking water and chemical toilets have been brought in for the comfort of the people staying on the beaches.

In recognition of the full-to-capacity hotels and beachfronts filling up with tents, the mayor decided to open some of the city's public institutions for the purpose of housing families from the north.  Goldwater High School, the first such institution, has been provided with hundreds of mattresses and bedding collected by the city's emergency services to be distributed to the families who have moved in.  Goldwater High School was chosen for its central locality and closeness to the municipal swimming pool which provides showering facilities in the evenings in addition to the facilities near the school's gym.  Hotels and Eilat families have contributed sheets and towels to the families staying at the high school.

There are currently hundreds of residents of northern Israel using the Goldwater facilities.

Mayor Yitzhak Halevy requested that the hotels and tourist infrastructure assist our brothers and sister from the north wherever possible.  In response, the hotels, tourist attractions, restaurants and many shops have lowered their prices and are giving large discounts to residents from the north.

The mayor contacted mayors from towns in the north to extend his city's hospitality, among them Carmiel, Acre, Neharia, Tiberias and Kiryat Shmonah, and offered them any assistance Eilat could provide.  The Social Services Department of Eilat joined the mayor in offering their assistance to families from these communities.

In short, the city of Eilat has mobilized to help our family from the north, and is making great efforts to provide for all needs and requests.

Partnership Manager Hagit Shilo adds:

There are about 50 children coming each day to the summer day camp, and more joining in all the time.  The Jewish Agency and Partnership 2000 Eilat-Eilot-Toronto has contributed the services of 2 Youth Futures trustees to work with the summer camp.

Goldwater High School is open to families with children exclusively.  Each classroom has 20 mattresses and bedding.  As of today, 140 people are staying there, with more expected to arrive each day.

At a meeting that took place with directors and staff of Eilat Social Services, Psychological Services, Matnas and myself, immediate needs were identified: food, diapers, additional showers, visits by the public health nurse, first aid supplies, laundry facilities, activities for the families and the children in particular, televisions or a large screen projection system.  I requested that a orderly document be given me with all of the requests.

In a meeting with the head of the Eilot Regional Council, I was notified that more than 1200 northern residents are currently staying on the region's kibbutzim.  A room has been made available in each apartment hosting these guests.  They eat at the kibbutz dining hall and are invited to all activities on the kibbutz and the Regional Council that local residents participate in.  The secretary of the Eilot Regional Council will supply me with a document recording these activities and their needs for assistance.