Haifa

Haifa is a port city in northern Israel. It is the third largest city in the country, and is considered diverse in its population. Of its almost 300,000 residents, 25% are immigrants or descendent of immigrants from the former Soviet Union and 10% are Arab. 14% of the the residents are Christian, and 4% are Muslim. Haifa is a holy city for the Baha'i faith, and is home to the famous Baha’i Gardens.

Haifa’s port is the largest in the country. In addition to the vital docks, it also has several chemical and oil refineries. It has the largest business park in Israel, featuring some of the branch offices of the most competitive and global companies in the world.

In addition to the Baha’i Gardens, Haifa has several other tourist attractions. It also has the restored German Colony which was founded by the Templers, Mount Carmel national park, and an artists colony.

Haifa is home to the Technion University, Israel’s oldest university and the top ranked education center in Israel and the Middle East.

Haifa is the birthplace of Naftali Bennett, Gene Simmons, and the members of Infected Mushrooms.

Haifa mayor demands parties commit to shutting down city's petrochemical industry by 2029

Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav urged parties to commit to closing the Haifa Bay petrochemical industry by 2029, citing security threats and health risks.

OCTOBER 10, 2026|ByYOAV ETIEL

Smoke rises from the oil refineries in Haifa following a missile strike fired from Iran, in northern Israel, March 30, 2026

Capt. Eliav Haim Tzapalamus, 21.

IDF officer killed in southern Lebanon, three others injured during operation

Tzapalamus was killed when a Humvee flipped during operational activity in the area of the Litani River.

OCTOBER 8, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

The steps leading to the Bahá'í Shrine in Haifa, Israel.

Haifa's glowing Bahá'í terraces draw more than 9,400 visitors in two nights

Thousands of visitors filled Haifa’s Bahá'í Gardens for a rare nighttime opening, with illuminated terraces, cultural activities and access to the Shrine of the Báb.

OCTOBER 6, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

FROM LEFT: ‘Hager (Land)’ director Shmuel Beru, Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav, producer Nurit Negisa Beru, and costume designer Elmalem Maspen.

‘Hager (Land),’ an epic story of Ethiopian immigrants, wins Best Israeli Film at Haifa fest

Beru’s film tells the story of Ethiopian Jews facing a dangerous journey to Israel against a backdrop of political upheaval and violence.

OCTOBER 5, 2026|ByHANNAH BROWN

Police arrest 18 as anti-war protests spread across Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem

Thousands of people demonstrated at three main rallies across the country, in Tel Aviv at Habima Square, in Haifa near the Horev Center, and in Jerusalem at Paris Square.

MARCH 28, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, MAARIV

Right-wing activist Mordechai David protests against demonstrators during an anti-government and anti-war protest at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, March 28, 2026.

Jerusalem highlights: March 27-April 2

What's new to do in Israel's capital?

MARCH 27, 2026ByHAGAY HACOHEN

‘A Ma’apilim Ship,’ painting by Marcel Janco (see Friday).

IDF Home Front Command to extend siren warning times for Hezbollah rockets

This could double the amount of time that Israelis have to reach a sheltered area in the event of Hezbollah terrorists launching rockets towards Israeli civilian locations.

MARCH 27, 2026ByJAMES GENN

An N12 News infographic detailing how the IDF Home Front Command could extend the warning time that Israelis have to reach shelter when Hezbollah fires rockets from Lebanon, March 27, 2026.

Iranian missile shrapnel hits Haifa oil refineries

Bazan also experienced significant damage during the previous campaign against Iran last June, which killed three of the refinery's employee

MARCH 22, 2026ByIDAN ERETZ/GLOBES/TNS

AN OIL REFINERY in Haifa, damaged in an Iranian missile barrage, March 19, 2026.

Expert warns Haifa refinery is ‘time bomb’ despite limited damage in Iranian strike

The Bazan refinery in Haifa Bay has long been a source of environmental concern. The latest round of Iranian missile fire has now placed those concerns in a wartime context.

MARCH 21, 2026ByGABRIEL COLODRO/THE MEDIA LINE

Fire rises from the Bazan power plant in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, June 15, 2025.

A little air, a little romance, a lot of food

Terrace looks directly at Haifa’s famous view, and wants more.

MARCH 19, 2026ByYANIV GRANOT/WALLA!

Terrace

The chef behind two culinary gems is opening a street food eatery

Chef Alaa Mousa, a leading figure in Haifa’s culinary scene, continues to run the successful restaurants Lux and Crudo and has now added a younger, more casual sister concept.

MARCH 15, 2026ByBATYA GILADI

SALT Eatery.

Netivot shows how Israel’s periphery can become its center - opinion

Netivot merges innovation and faith, turning Israel’s periphery into a thriving hub.

MARCH 14, 2026ByBARBARA SOFER

Carol Ann Schwartz, national president of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, at the inauguration.

Bach Festival features contemporary dance and live baroque performances

Nine concerts, live ensembles, and eclectic programming showcase Bach’s timeless adaptability.

MARCH 1, 2026ByBARRY DAVIS

The Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra forms the backbone of the Bach Festival.

Don’t come without a reservation: The dish all of Haifa lines up for

Weekend brunch in Haifa’s lower city at Rive West by Chef Nabil Hana: A precise menu with surprising twists, a tall pancake, and an intimate vibe – don’t forget to book ahead.

FEBRUARY 24, 2026ByBATYA GILADI

Rive West.