LOCAL COUNCIL (ISRAEL)

In Israel, a 'local council' ( ''moetza mekomit'') is the administrative unit of a locality, similar to a city in structure and way of life Israel's system of local government, that has not yet achieved the minimum number of residents and other requirements for city status.
The Israeli Interior Minister has the authority of deciding whether a locality is fit to become a local municipality (or a city). The minister is expected to listen to the wishes of the residents of the locality in question, who may wish the locality to remain a local municipality even after achieving the requirements for a city (e.g. Ramat HaSharon, which did not become city until 2002 due to its residents wanting to preserve its image as a small town), or a part of an regional council despite having achieved the criteria for a local one.