Tel Aviv may cease to be Israel's second-largest city
Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg presented a master plan for the city's development, according to which the municipality's population could grow to 500–600 thousand people. This would allow Beit Shemesh to surpass Tel Aviv and become Israel's second most populous city, second only to Jerusalem. The plan includes the construction of thousands of housing units, development of commercial infrastructure, and a transportation network.
Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg presented a new master plan for the city's development on the podcast "City Front," envisioning a population increase to 500–600 thousand people. If implemented, Beit Shemesh would surpass Tel Aviv to become Israel's second most populous city after Jerusalem. Over recent decades, the city has already experienced explosive growth, from 44,000 residents in 2000 to approximately 200,000 today. The plan includes developing new areas (Ramat Beit Shemesh Hey-2, Vav-1, Vav-2, Vav-3, and Tet) and a large-scale urban renewal program with high-rise buildings up to 40 stories and about 12,000 new apartments. To provide jobs, major commercial facilities are planned: a Fox logistics center, a Mega Or data center, the "Shibolet" employment park, and expansion of the Brosh and Har-Tuv industrial zones. A key element is modernizing the transportation network, including building a dedicated light rail line integrated with Jerusalem's system via Route 39, and a new railway station in the Sha'ar HaGai area. Mayor Greenberg stated he would sign government framework agreements only if key public facilities, such as an arena and convention centers, are fully funded.