Modi'in, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, is the fastest growing city in Israel according to population figures. Environmental groups have warned planning commissioners against further expansion of the city to the south, which they said would encroach on the ecology of the center of Israel.

The regional planning commission is meeting on Monday to discuss plans for Modi'in, where the population has reached more than 50,000. Plans call for an expansion that would quadruple the number of residents.