Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avihay Shtern on Thursday criticized the decision of Higher Education Minister Ze’ev Elkin to integrate colleges in the Galilee into the University of Haifa.
"We will not permit the Galilee brand to glorify a university that is not in the Galilee. Haifa is closer to Tel Aviv than to the Galilee! The delusional statement that the University of Galilee will open in Haifa is a mockery of all the residents of the Galilee. Every sensible person understands that the time has come to announce the establishment of a university in the Galilee that is truly in the Galilee - and in Tel Hai! Reality already dictates this," Shtern wrote on his Facebook page.
"Three years ago, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a university in the Galilee. What has changed? I call on the Israeli government, Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Elkin to immediately announce the establishment of a university in the Galilee to be built in the Galilee!" he added.