Former IDF Major and current City Engineer Simi Moalem is orchestrating a dramatic transformation of Beit She’an, positioning the historic city not merely as a residential alternative but as Israel’s next strategic inland port. Leveraging the geopolitical momentum of the Abraham Accords and a disciplined military-style management approach, Moalem is pausing hasty expansion to ensure sustainable, high-quality growth for the city’s future.
Key Developments in Northern Development
- Strategic Pivot: Beit She’an is pivoting toward becoming a “dry port” and eastern gateway, capitalizing on regional ties fostered by the Abraham Accords.
- Infrastructure First: The marketing of the massive “Mesilot” neighborhood has been deliberately halted to prioritize infrastructure readiness over rapid sales.
- Urban Renewal Boom: Three major city-center precincts are advancing, aiming to replace hundreds of aging 1950s units with modern high-rises.
- Leadership Shift: City Engineer Simi Moalem brings extensive IDF infrastructure experience to professionalize the municipality’s engineering division.
From IDF Command to Municipal Strategy
Simi Moalem, a native of Beit She’an and a Major (Res.) in the IDF, has brought a level of operational discipline to the city’s engineering wing rarely seen in municipal governance. Before assuming her current role ten months ago, Moalem spent 11 years managing complex infrastructure projects for the Ministry of Defense, including the multi-billion shekel “Kiryat HaModiin” (Intelligence Campus).
Her mandate for 2026 is clear: strengthen the engineering department’s capabilities and establish a dedicated planning division. “Government ministries and entrepreneurs believe in us,” Moalem asserts. Her approach involves navigating the city through a government-imposed recovery plan, working closely with the treasury to import management mechanisms that ensure budget discipline matches construction ambitions. This year, the focus is on finalizing policy documents that will act as a compass, balancing accelerated construction with the preservation of the city’s tight-knit community fabric.
How Do the Abraham Accords Redefine Beit She’an?
The Abraham Accords have done more than normalize relations with distant Gulf states; they have fundamentally altered the strategic map of northern Israel. Moalem identifies Beit She’an as the primary beneficiary of this geopolitical shift, describing the city as the “connection of the State of Israel to the east.”
“Beit She’an is going to be the next big thing,” Moalem declares with confidence. The vision is to develop the city into a thriving “dry port,” serving as a logistical and trade bridge between Israel, Jordan, and potentially partners further east. This perspective shifts the city’s status from a peripheral development town to a central node in regional commerce, attracting renewed interest from national investors and government agencies recognizing the city’s untapped potential.
Revitalizing the Historic Core: The 1949 Legacy
Founded in 1949, Beit She’an is populated with aging housing stocks that date back to the early years of statehood. The municipality is now aggressively promoting urban renewal (Pinui Binui) to modernize the city center, rather than solely expanding outward. Moalem emphasizes that these projects are designed to create active street fronts, commercial spaces, and improved public realms.
Currently, nine complexes are in various stages of planning. The “Jerusalem Capital” complex, approved by the Governmental Authority for Urban Renewal, will see 40 old units replaced by 245 new ones in buildings up to 10 stories high. Similarly, the “Menachem Begin” complex is set to transform 114 aging apartments into 419 modern units, while the “Deborah the Prophetess” project aims to replace 213 units with 528 new homes. These initiatives are not just about adding density; they are about injecting new life into the city’s veteran neighborhoods.
Why Was Marketing for the ‘Mesilot’ Neighborhood Halted?
In a bold move demonstrating a commitment to quality over quantity, the municipality has suspended the marketing of plots in the “Mesilot” neighborhood. This massive plan covers approximately 755 dunams and includes 2,870 housing units. Despite national pressure to market land quickly to address Israel’s housing shortage, Moalem determined that the city must first secure the necessary public infrastructure.
“We stopped to complete proper planning of public needs and infrastructure,” Moalem explains. The goal is to avoid a scenario where residents move into a construction zone lacking essential services. The pause allows for the synchronization of the budget, planning, and execution phases, ensuring that the development includes the promised park, stream rehabilitation, and community institutions. This decision reflects a maturation in municipal planning: refusing to create “growth on paper” that the city cannot operationally sustain.
| Project Name | Current Units (Old) | Planned Units (New) | Developer / Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem Capital | 40 | 245 | Cardan / Plan Approved |
| Menachem Begin | 114 | 419 | Raphael / Pending District Committee |
| Deborah the Prophetess | 213 | 528 | Developer TBD (2026) / Pending District Committee |
| Tnuva Adulam | 252 | 245 | Achdut / Alternatives Examination |
| Hisachon | 402 | TBD | Resident-Led / Initial Planning |
Blueprint for Developers and Residents
To align with Beit She’an’s strategic shift, stakeholders should consider the following actions:
- Prioritize Community Integration: Developers must propose designs that include active street fronts and community spaces, as the city prioritizes “urban experience” over simple housing density.
- Prepare for Regulatory “Roof Agreements”: The city is advancing toward signing a comprehensive Roof Agreement (Es’kem Gag), which will streamline funding and permits; developers should align projects with this upcoming framework.
- Engage in Public Participation: Residents should attend the increasing number of neighborhood roundtables and conferences initiated by the engineering department to influence the city’s renewal trajectory.
Glossary of Terms
- Roof Agreement (Es’kem Gag): A strategic contract between the Israeli government and a municipality, providing state funding for infrastructure in exchange for the city committing to build a large number of housing units rapidly.
- Urban Renewal (Pinui Binui): A process where old buildings are demolished to make way for new, denser, and modern residential complexes, often used to upgrade 1950s-era housing.
- Dunam: A unit of land area used in Israel (and the former Ottoman Empire), equivalent to 1,000 square meters or roughly 0.25 acres.
- Dry Port: An inland terminal directly connected by road or rail to a seaport, operating as a center for the transshipment of sea cargo to inland destinations.
Reporting Methodology
This report is based on a comprehensive interview conducted in January 2026 with Simi Moalem, City Engineer of Beit She’an. Data regarding housing units, planning status, and neighborhood specifications are derived directly from municipal engineering records and Moalem’s official statements regarding the 2026 work plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Beit She’an considered a strategic asset for Israel?
Beyond its historical significance, Beit She’an serves as a geographic bridge to the east. Under the framework of the Abraham Accords, the city is positioned to become a logistical hub and “dry port” facilitating trade and connectivity between Israel, Jordan, and the Gulf states.
What is the status of the “Mesilot” neighborhood?
Marketing for the “Mesilot” neighborhood (2,870 planned units) has been temporarily halted. The City Engineer decided to pause sales to ensure that infrastructure planning—roads, sewage, and public institutions—is fully synchronized with residential construction to prevent overcrowding and service failures.
How accessible is Beit She’an to central Israel?
Beit She’an is increasingly accessible, located approximately 40 minutes by train from Haifa and about one hour and ten minutes by car. The municipality argues that this travel time is standard for many commuters living in Israel’s central districts, making the city a viable option for families seeking quality of life.
What is a “Recovery Plan” in the context of the municipality?
The city is currently operating under a government-imposed recovery plan. This involves strict financial oversight and regulation to balance the municipal budget. While this adds bureaucratic complexity, the engineering department is leveraging it to secure government backing and professional management services to oversee large-scale development.
The Road Ahead
Beit She’an is shedding its image as a remote periphery town and re-emerging as a confident, strategic player in Israel’s north. By leveraging the economic potential of the Abraham Accords and insisting on high standards for urban renewal, the city is building a foundation for sustainable demographic growth. For investors and young families alike, the message from City Hall is clear: the city is open for business, but quality of life will no longer be compromised for speed.
Final Takeaways
- Strategic Vision: The Abraham Accords have repositioned Beit She’an as a vital eastern gateway and logistical hub.
- Controlled Growth: The halt on “Mesilot” proves the city is prioritizing infrastructure and livability over reckless expansion.
- Renewal Focus: Major renewal projects are set to modernize the city center, replacing hundreds of dilapidated units with modern housing.
- Accessibility: With a 40-minute train ride to Haifa, the city offers a compelling alternative to the congested center.
