Last update - 00:00 27/11/2006
Nature advocates: Mount Hermon entry fees are illegal
By Zafrir Rinat, Haaretz Correspondent
The Mount Hermon company, which is owned by Moshav Neve Ativ and runs the ski resort on the mountain, has been illegally charging fees for entry into the nature preserve and hiking areas, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) has said.
The company is building pay stations at entry points to the mountain, where all visitors are being charged admission, including hikers and scientists who aren't headed to the ski resort.
The SPNI also said that other plans for building and development at the ski site are being performed without an authorized master plan, and are therefore illegal. The Interior Ministry confirmed that Mt. Hermon's lease has expired, and therefore the company can't legally charge fees for entry to the Hermon.
The company vehemently denies these accusations, saying that they have submitted plans for approval. According to Mt. Hermon's lawyer, Eitan Conda, the interior minister had 15 days to discuss the master plan. Since that time has passed, and the minister didn't respond, the plans are now valid, he said.
When asked about the pay stations, the company's CEO, Menachem Baruch responded, "We are talking about a private road that we maintain."
According to Conda, in the past the State Comptroller ruled that it was legal for the company to charge for use of the road.
The SPNI has said that building in the ski resort is less important than claiming private hold on other areas of the Hermon because of the cultural, scientific, and environmental signifance of the area.
The society wants a new master plan written, designating building specifics on Mt. Hermon, as well as a law that allows free access to visitors not entering the ski resort.