Tripling The Beit Shemesh Population

According to a new master plan, Beit Shemesh is to triple its population to 360,000 in the next few years with an eventual target of half a million, by adding new neighborhoods and revamping older neighborhoods.

The city’s population has nearly doubled to 120,000 in less than 20 years after an influx of chareidim who now constitute half its populace. Almost half the city is under 14 years old.

The Housing Ministry is evaluating a plan to double the population of the Western Galilee from 300,000 to 600,000 over the 20 years. Last year, the government approved a $315 million plan to increase the population of the Golan Heights from 53,000 to 100,000.

{Matzav.com Israel}