Tel Aviv suburb moves to keep outsiders off its beaches

Rishon LeZion is considering charging nonresidents NIS 150 a day to park near its beaches on Fridays and Saturdays, in an effort to deter visitors from other cities and ease severe weekend congestion along the city’s limited coastline. Deputy Mayor Idan Mizrahi submitted the proposal to the City Council, which is due to convene in early September. Under the plan, Rishon LeZion residents would continue to park free of charge at municipal beach parking lots, while visitors from outside the city would pay the steep daily rate. The proposal is aimed at effectively reserving more beach access for local residents during the busiest days of the week. Rishon LeZion has a relatively short stretch of coastline that struggles to accommodate the tens of thousands of people who arrive on weekends. On many Saturdays, the municipality issues notices by around 11 a.m.