Halisa

Overlooking the slopes of Mount Carmel, the neighborhood of Halisa whispers tales of resilience and change. Halisa is nestled in the southeastern part of Haifa. It holds a unique place in the city’s tapestry. Halisa is more than just a neighborhood. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of its people. Originally built in the 1930s and 1940s, Halisa became a refuge for those displaced by the 1948 war. The original Arab inhabitants were forced to leave. Jewish immigrants moved in. Due to neglect, Halisa became one of Haifa’s poorest areas. In the 1970s and 1980s, another wave of Arab residents, many also refugees from 1948, arrived. They purchased the right to live as protected tenants in state-owned homes. This created a diverse community. Today, Halisa is a blend of cultures. Approximately 70% of its 3,000 residents are Arab. The other 30% are Jewish, hailing from various backgrounds. This includes immigrants from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia. Halisa’s history is etched with struggles. One of the biggest was a community uprising against drug dealers in the late 1980s. This struggle successfully ended the neighborhood’s association with drug trade. Other struggles focused on securing basic rights and services from local authorities. The Rushmiya Bridge stands as a silent witness to Halisa’s history. Built in 1927, it was considered a modern engineering marvel in Mandatory Palestine. This bridge, spanning the Nahal Giborim wadi, was a site of conflict during the 1948 war. Later, the Gdud 22 Bridge was built nearby. Halisa’s story is one of hardship, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of a better life. Despite the challenges, the community’s determination to build a better future continues to shape Halisa’s identity.