View source for Netanya

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Not to be confused|Benjamin Netanyahu}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Netanya
| native_name        = {{Lang|he|{{Script/Hebrew|נתניה}}|rtl=yes}}
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Israel|City]]
| translit_lang1     = Hebrew
| translit_lang1_type1 = [[ISO 259]]
| translit_lang1_info1 = Netanya
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image | border = infobox | | perrow = 1/2/2/ | total_width = 300 | align = center
| image1 = 20201130_153836_מבט_מלמעלה_על_שלולית_החורף_בנתניה.jpg
| caption1 = Netanya skyline
| image2 = 96279 netanya - red army monument PikiWiki Israel.jpg
| caption2 = [[Victory Monument in Netanya|Victory Monument]]
| image3 = Netanya-Stadium 39 (cropped 2).jpg
| caption3 = [[Netanya Stadium]]
| image4 = PikiWiki Israel 19343 Seas City Mall in Netanya.JPG
| caption4 = [[:he:קניון עיר ימים|Ir Yamim Mall]]
| image5 = KIKATZNETDAY.JPG
| caption5 = [[:he:כיכר העצמאות (נתניה)|Independence Square]]
}}
| image_flag         = Flag of Netanya.svg
| image_blank_emblem = [[File:NetanyaCoa.svg|60px]]
| blank_emblem_type  = Coat of arms
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map        = Israel center ta#Israel
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Israel
| coordinates        = {{coord|32|19|43|N|34|51|24|E|region:IL|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{ISR}}
| subdivision_type1  = 
| subdivision_name1  = 
| subdivision_type2  = [[Districts of Israel|District]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Central District (Israel)|Central]]
| subdivision_type3  = Subdistrict
| subdivision_name3  = [[HaSharon Subdistrict|HaSharon]]
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = February 18, 1929
|government_type     = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
|governing_body      = Municipality of Netanya
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = [[Miriam Feirberg|Miriam Feirberg Ikar]]
| unit_pref          = dunam
| area_total_dunam   = {{formatnum:34750|R}}
| population_footnotes = {{Israel populations|reference}}
| population_total   = {{Israel populations|Netanya}}
| population_as_of   = {{Israel populations|Year}}
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Ethnicity
| demographics1_footnotes = {{Israel populations|reference}}
| demographics1_title1 = [[Israeli Jews|Jews]]
| demographics1_info1 = 88.0%
| demographics1_title2 = [[Arab citizens of Israel|Arabs]]
| demographics1_info2 = 0.3%
| demographics1_title3 = [[Israelis#Other citizens|Others]]
| demographics1_info3 = 11.7%
| timezone1           = [[Israel Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1         = +2
| timezone1_DST       = [[Israel Summer Time|IDT]]
| utc_offset1_DST     = +3
| blank_name_sec1   = Name meaning
| blank_info_sec1   = Named after [[Nathan Straus]]
| website = [https://www.netanya.muni.il/ www.netanya.muni.il]
}}
'''Netanya'''<ref name="Britannica">{{Cite web |title=Netanya {{!}} Mediterranean Coast, Beaches, Tourism |work=Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Netanya |access-date=2025-02-04 |language=en}}</ref> ({{langx|he|נתניה}}, {{IPA|he|netanˈja|IPA}}) or '''Natanya''' ({{IPA|he|naˈtanja|IPA}}),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Documents |publisher=Office of the Historian of the US State Department |url=https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1961-63v18/d227 |access-date=2025-02-04}}</ref><ref name="Britannica" /> is a city in the [[Central District (Israel)|Central District]] of [[Israel]], and is the capital of the surrounding [[Sharon plain]]. It is {{cvt|30|km|1}} north of [[Tel Aviv]], and {{cvt|56|km|1}} south of [[Haifa]], between the [[Poleg]] stream and the [[Wingate Institute]] in the south and the Avihayil stream in the north.

Netanya was named in honor of [[Nathan Straus]], a prominent [[American Jews|Jewish American]] merchant and philanthropist in the early 20th century who was the co-owner of [[Macy's]] [[department store]]. The {{cvt|14|km|mi}} of beaches have made the city a [[Tourism in Israel|popular tourist resort]].

In {{Israel populations|Year}}, Netanya had a population of {{Israel populations|Netanya}},{{Israel populations|reference}} ranking it as the 7th largest city in Israel by population. An additional 150,000 people live in the local and regional councils within {{cvt|10|km|0|abbr=off}} of Netanya, which serves as a regional center for them. The city mayor is [[Miriam Feirberg]].

==History==
Before the 20th century, parts of Netanya belonged to the Forest of [[Sharon plain|Sharon]], a hallmark of the region's historical landscape. It was an open [[woodland]] dominated by Mount Tabor Oak ([[Quercus ithaburensis]]), which extended from [[Kfar Yona]] in the north to [[Ra'anana]] in the south. Arabs who lived in the area used it for [[pasture]], [[firewood]] and intermittent [[Agriculture|cultivation]]. The intensification of settlement and agriculture in the [[Israeli coastal plain|coastal plain]] during the 19th century led to [[deforestation]] and subsequent [[environmental degradation]] known from [[Hebrew literature|Hebrew sources]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Marom |first=Roy |date=2022-12-01 |title=יער‬ ‫השרון (אל-ע'אבה) בתקופה העות'מאנית:‬ ‫בתקופה‬ ‫מהמחקר‬ ‫חדשות‬ ‫תובנות‬ ‫הגיאוגרפי-היסטורי The Oak Forest of the Sharon (al-Ghaba) in the Ottoman Period: New Insights from Historical- Geographical Studies |url=https://www.academia.edu/93207554 |journal=Muse |volume=5 |pages=90–107}}</ref>

[[File:VIEW OF NETANYA. מראה כללי של היישוב נתניה.D25-059.jpg|thumb|Netanya in 1936]]
Netanya was established near the ancient site of [[Poleg]] by the Bnei Binyamin association in [[Zikhron Ya'akov]].<ref name="history" /> It was named in honor of [[Nathan Straus|Nathan (Hebrew: ''Natan'') Straus]] (1848–1931),<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2xArAAAAMAAJ&q=netanya+nathan+straus |page=270 |title=The New Encyclopædia Britannica |volume=7 |first=William |last=Benton |year=1974 |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica (UK) Ltd |isbn=978-0-85229-290-7 |access-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327060628/https://books.google.com/books?id=2xArAAAAMAAJ&q=netanya+nathan+straus |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Teller" /> co-owner of [[Macy's]] department store,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/568492/Nathan-Straus |title=Nathan Straus |encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia Britannica Online |year=2012 |access-date=February 7, 2012 |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309022942/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/568492/Nathan-Straus |url-status=live}}</ref> [[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation|New York City Parks Commissioner]], and president of the [[Metropolitan Board of Health|New York City Board of Health]],<ref name="virtual">{{cite web |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Nathan_Straus.html |title=Nathan Straus (1848–1931) |publisher=Jewish Virtual Library |year=2012 |access-date=February 7, 2012 |archive-date=March 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312093321/http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Nathan_Straus.html |url-status=live}}</ref> who gifted two-thirds of his personal fortune to projects benefiting Jews and [[Arab people|Arabs]] in [[Mandatory Palestine]].<ref name="Teller">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iisia4aFPQ4C&q=netanya+nathan+straus&pg=PA349 |title=A Midrash and a Maaseh |first=Hanoch |last=Teller |author-link=Hanoch Teller |page=349 |publisher=NYC Publishing Co |year=1996 |isbn=978-1-881939-09-2 |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327060705/https://books.google.com/books?id=iisia4aFPQ4C&q=netanya+nathan+straus&pg=PA349 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="virtual" /><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E6wKAQAAIAAJ&q=health+center |title=Everyman's Judaica: An encyclopedic dictionary |page=574 |first=Geoffrey |last=Wigoder |year=1975 |publisher=W.H. Allen / Virgin Books |isbn=978-0-491-01604-9}}</ref> "Netanya...was named for Straus in the hope he would donate money to them. When he told them he had no more money to give they were disappointed, but decided to keep the city's name anyway."<ref>[http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1256842256nwsltr809.pdf] {{dead link|date=February 2013}}</ref><ref>Benzaquen, John. [https://www.jpost.com/metro/lifestyle/neighborhood-watch-looking-east "Neighborhood Watch: Looking east"], ''[[The Jerusalem Post]]'', May 31, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2023. "Netanya was named for Straus in the hope that he would donate money to the Bnei Binyamin association. Unfortunately for the association, by the time it asked him for financial help, it was too late, as he and his wife had already donated most of their fortune to charities in Palestine and the US."</ref>
[[File:PikiWiki Israel 17378 Fountain in Independence Square in Netanya.JPG|thumb|The fountain in the Independence Square. In 2012 it was moved to the west and an interactive electronic fountain was erected in its place]]
The funds for the project of building Netanya were raised by [[Itamar Ben-Avi]] and [[Oved Ben-Ami]], who embarked on a fundraising trip to the United States to raise the money. In 1928 members of Bnei Binyamin and Hanotea, an organisation set up after Straus was informed of the establishment of the settlement, purchased {{cvt|350|acre|km2}} of [[Umm Khaled]] lands.<ref name="history" /> On December 14, 1928, a team led by Moshe Shaked began digging for water at the site. After water was discovered in February 1929, the first five settlers moved onto the land. In the weeks that followed, more settlers began arriving. Development was set back due to the [[1929 Palestine riots]] and massacre of Jews. By September, however, development was back on track with the cornerstones for the first 10 houses being laid on [[Sukkot]].<ref name="history" />

The first kindergarten opened in 1930 and the first school in 1931. In the [[1931 census of Palestine]], Netanya was recorded as having 253 residents. In 1933, the British architect [[Clifford Holliday]] drew up a plan for Netanya as a tourist resort. Holliday also designed urban projects in [[Jaffa]], [[Tiberias]], [[Lod|Lydda]] and [[Ramla]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-zk7q25Nw4kC&q=clifford%20holliday%20netanya&pg=PA17 |title=The Jewish-Arab city: spatio-politics in a mixed community. |author=Yacobi Haim |year=2009 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-203-87969-6 |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327060753/https://books.google.com/books?id=-zk7q25Nw4kC&q=clifford+holliday+netanya&pg=PA17 |url-status=live }}</ref> The first [[Urban planning|urban plan]] divided the city into three sections with a tourism district along the coastline, housing, farms and commerce in the center, and agriculture and industry to the east. That year also saw the completion of the Tel Aviv Hotel, the first hotel in Netanya, as well as the establishment of two new neighborhoods, Ben Zion and Geva.<ref name="history" />

In 1934, the first [[Aliyah Bet]] ship arrived at the shores of Netanya, carrying 350 immigrants. By 1939, over seventeen more ships had followed. An industrial zone was established, and the first synagogue and school was built.<ref name="history" />

In 1937 the cornerstone was laid for a new commercial center and the connection of Netanya to the Tel Aviv-Haifa road. In 1939, the Ophir diamond polishing plant, the first diamond polishing plant in Palestine, was opened by Asher Daskall and Zvi Rosenberg.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.israelidiamond.co.il/wikidiamond/diamond-industry-figures/oved-ben-ami/ |title=Oved Ben Ami – was awarded the title of Diamond Industry Dignitary |website=Israeli Diamond |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=December 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205090730/https://en.israelidiamond.co.il/wikidiamond/diamond-industry-figures/oved-ben-ami/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://en.israelidiamond.co.il/history-diamond-industry-30s/ |title=The 30s At The Israeli Diamond Industry |website=Israeli Diamond |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808095710/https://en.israelidiamond.co.il/history-diamond-industry-30s/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1940, the [[Mandatory Palestine|British Mandate]] government defined Netanya as a [[Local council (Israel)|local council]] of which [[Oved Ben-Ami]] was elected head.<ref name="history" /> In 1944, Netanya had a population of 4,900. The first high school in Netanya opened in 1945.
[[File:בית חרושת לליטוש יהלומים בנתניה-JNF018823.jpeg|thumb|Netanya Diamond polishing factory in 1945]]
During the [[Jewish insurgency in Palestine]], the Jewish underground group [[Irgun]] launched several attacks against British military and police forces in the Netanya area. The town itself was a bastion of support for the Irgun. The most infamous incident happened in July 1947, in what became known as the [[The Sergeants affair|Sergeants affair]]. After three Irgun fighters had been sentenced to death by the British, the Irgun abducted two British sergeants on a Netanya street, and hid them in an abandoned factory. The British responded by declaring martial law and placing Netanya and the surrounding area under curfew. The British Army searched the town and interrogated residents, but did not find the sergeants. After the three Irgun fighters were hanged, the Irgun hanged the two sergeants in the factory and re-hanged and booby-trapped their bodies in an orange grove.<ref>Bell, Bowyer J.: ''Terror out of Zion'' (1976)</ref>

In November 1947, an [[Egged Bus Cooperative|Egged]] bus driving from Netanya to Jerusalem was [[Fajja bus attacks|attacked]] in [[Petah Tikva]]. In 1948, following the withdrawal of British forces from Netanya and the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War|1948 Arab-Israeli War]], a large military base was established in the city.

On December 3, 1948, Netanya was declared a city in the newly established State of Israel.<ref name="history" />  Ramat Tiomkin, Ein Hatchlelet, Pardes Hagdud, and Ramat Ephraim were annexed to Netanya. At this time, Netanya had a population of 11,600.<ref name="spatial" />

The [[Kiryat Eliezer Kaplan Industrial Zone]] was inaugurated in 1949 and Neve Itamar, founded in 1944, was annexed to Netanya.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.netanya-moreshet.org.il/info/site_show.aspx?id=1203 |title=קריית אליעזר – אזור תעשיה
|access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826155748/http://www.netanya-moreshet.org.il/info/site_show.aspx?id=1203 |archive-date=August 26, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bet-fisher.co.il/Info/hi_show.aspx?id=28199 |title=נווה איתמר|access-date=August 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826154957/http://www.bet-fisher.co.il/Info/hi_show.aspx?id=28199 |archive-date=August 26, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The [[Netanya railway station]] opened in 1953.

With Israel experiencing a wave of Jewish immigration from Europe, elsewhere in the Middle East, and North Africa, Netanya's population expanded. In the years following independence, approximately 14,000 [[History of the Jews in Libya|Libyan Jewish immigrants]] settled in Netanya.<ref>Trevisan Semi, Emanuela, Miccoli, Dario, and Parfitt, Tudor: ''Memory and Ethnicity: Ethnic Museums in Israel and the Diaspora'', p. 93.</ref> The population reached 31,000 in 1955. To accommodate the influx of newcomers, the Israeli Housing Ministry built housing units of 50 square meters.<ref name="spatial">OECD: ''Spatial Planning and Policy in Israel The Cases of Netanya and Umm al-Fahm''</ref> The cornerstone of Kiryat Sanz, a religious neighborhood was laid in 1956. The first [[stock exchange]] built in Israel was built in Netanya.<ref name="history" /> By 1961, the city's population had grown to 41,300.

During the [[Six-Day War]] in 1967, Netanya was hit by Jordanian artillery, and Jordanian planes made sorties near Netanya, but failed to cause major damage. A lone Iraqi bomber attacked Netanya, dropping several bombs which damaged a factory and caused some casualties, shortly before being shot down. In 1972, Netanya had a population of 71,100.[[File:Kikar haatzmaut057.jpg|thumb|The Lily Fountain in Ha'Atsmaout Square in its first location (2010)]]In the 1990s, large numbers of immigrants from the former Soviet Union settled in Netanya, greatly expanding the city's population and resulting in large-scale housing construction.<ref name="spatial" />

Netanya suffered from several [[List of Palestinian suicide attacks|Palestinian bombings]] during the [[Second Intifada]], including the [[Netanya Market bombing]] and, in the same month, the [[Passover massacre]] which caused the death of 29 people.<ref>Jodi Rudoren. [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/30/world/middleeast/remaking-a-life-after-years-in-an-israeli-prison.html?hp "Remaking a Life, After Years in an Israeli Prison"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. March 29, 2014. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105220044/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/30/world/middleeast/remaking-a-life-after-years-in-an-israeli-prison.html?hp |date=January 5, 2016}}.</ref> Such attacks were cited as justification for the construction of the [[Israeli West Bank barrier]] which has proved effective in stemming suicide attacks.<ref>Isabel Kershner, [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/03/world/middleeast/03israel.html?mtrref=www.google.com&gwh=E2707919954B6CDCFB755F4FB2122588&gwt=pay&assetType=REGIWALL "Israeli Tactics Thwart Attacks, With Trade-Off"]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. May 3, 2008. {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630052857/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/03/world/middleeast/03israel.html?mtrref=www.google.com&gwh=E2707919954B6CDCFB755F4FB2122588&gwt=pay&assetType=REGIWALL |date=June 30, 2020}}.</ref>

In the 2000s and 2010s, Netanya became one of the primary destinations of French Jewish [[aliyah]]. Thousands of French immigrants settled in Netanya, influencing the local culture.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4686286,00.html |title=Netanya: Israel's French capital |date=January 8, 2015 |website=Ynetnews |access-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106012209/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4686286,00.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:PikiWiki Israel 29410 Plants of Israel.JPG|thumb|Iris Nature Reserve]]
Netanya is located on the [[Israeli Coastal Plain|Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain]], the [[Via Maris|historic land bridge]] between Europe, Africa, and Asia. The city is the capital of the [[Sharon plain]], a geographic region stretching from the [[Mediterranean]] in the west to the Samarian hills in the east, and the modern-day [[Gush Dan|Gush Dan metropolitan area]] in the south northwards to [[Mount Carmel]]. Although the capital of a densely populated region, Netanya itself is relatively separate from settlements to the north, south, and east, although, over time, growth has incorporated some into what makes up modern-day Netanya.

Apart from some small [[moshav]]im and [[kibbutz]]im, south of Netanya is relatively clear of settlement until [[Herzliya]] and the start of the Gush Dan metropolitan area. Likewise, to the north is clear of large settlement until [[Hadera]], and to the east until [[Tulkarm]] in the [[West Bank]]. The area to the east of Netanya does, however, have a large concentration of kibbutzim and moshavim in the [[Hefer Valley Regional Council]] and [[Local council (Israel)|local councils]] of [[Kfar Yona]], [[Kadima-Tzoran]] and [[Even Yehuda]].

Netanya itself is divided into a large number of neighborhoods (see [[Neighborhoods of Netanya]]), recently growing southwards out of the city to create several high-end coastal neighborhoods with industrial areas inland. Netanya is home to the Poleg nature reserve and the Irises Dora Rainpool nature park containing the world's largest population of [[iris atropurpurea]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Saving Israel's Coastal Iris |first=Christi |last=Yoder |date=10 June 2015 |url=http://blog.enketo.org/coastal-iris/ |publisher=blog.enketo.org |access-date=26 April 2016 |archive-date=May 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510101355/http://blog.enketo.org/coastal-iris/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Irises Dora Rainpool nature park |url=http://www.flowersinisrael.com/fieldtrip2012_1_26_DoraRainPool.htm |publisher=flowersinisrael.com |access-date=1 May 2016 |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413163310/http://flowersinisrael.com/fieldtrip2012_1_26_DoraRainPool.htm |url-status=live}}</ref> At the center of the park is a rainpool which fills up with water in the winter months, and dries up over the summer months. Signs along the rain pool include information on the types of flora and fauna that populate the ecosystem.

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|footnote=<ref name="history" /><ref name="density" />
|align=right
|percentages=pagr
|1929|5
|1931|100
|1948|11600
|1955|31000
|1961|41300
|1972|71100
|1983|102300
|1995|146100
|2008|179000
|2012|192200
|2015|207946
}}

In {{Israel populations|Year}}, Netanya was home to {{Israel populations|Netanya}} people. The population density of the city is 7,115 per square kilometer.<ref name="density" /> The population is expected to be around 320,000 in 2035.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1598&ArticleID=2392 |title=Netanya 2035 Metropolitan Core Outline Plan |website=www.netanya.muni.il |access-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010555/https://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1598&ArticleID=2392 |url-status=live}}</ref> According to a 2001 survey by the CBS, 99.9% of the population are Jewish and other non-Arabs. In 2001 alone, the city became home to 1,546 immigrants. According to CBS, in 2001 there were 78,800 males and 84,900 females with the population of the city being spread out, with 31.1% 19 years of age or younger, 15.3% between 20 and 29, 17.2% between 30 and 44, 17.4% from 45 to 59, 4.2% from 60 to 64, and 14.9% 65 years of age or older.

In terms of the origin of Netanya's residents, 63,800 originate from Europe and America, 30,200 from North Africa, 18,100 from Asia, 10,500 from Ethiopia and 38,100 from Israel in 2008. That same year, 90,200 of the residents of Netanya were born in Israel, while 71,300 were born abroad.<ref name="origin" /> A significant number of [[Ethiopian Jews in Israel]] have settled in Netanya with over 10,500 Ethiopian Jewish residents in the city.<ref name="cbs-ethiopian" /> Netanya is also the center of the [[Persian Jews|Persian Jewish]] community of Israel.

As of 2000, the city had 58,897 salaried workers and 4,671 self-employed with the mean monthly wage in 2000 for a salaried worker in the city being [[New Israeli Shekel|NIS]] 4,905, a real change of 8.6% over the course of 2000. Salaried males have a mean monthly wage of NIS 6,217 (a real change of 9.0%) versus NIS 3,603 for females (a real change of 6.8%). The mean income for the self-employed is 6,379. There are 3,293 people who receive unemployment benefits and 14,963 people who receive an income guarantee.

In terms of religion, Netanya is made up approximately of 50% [[Jewish culture|secular Jews]]. It is also the home of the Sanzer dynasty and has a large [[Chabad|Chabad Lubavitch]] presence.

==Neighborhoods==
{{Main|List of Netanya neighborhoods}}
[[File:Laniado 1.JPG|right|thumb|[[Laniado Hospital]]]]
=== Kiryat Sanz ===
In 1956, a beachfront in northern Netanya was selected as a home base for the [[Sanz (Hasidic dynasty)|Sanzer]] [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidim]] by its leader, Rabbi [[Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam]]. Halberstam established kindergartens, boys' and girls' schools, [[yeshiva]]s, seminaries, synagogues, a children's home for orphaned and needy girls,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mybatmitzvah.org/aboutus.php |title=About Us |access-date=December 30, 2010 |publisher=Lev Lalev |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010113548/http://www.mybatmitzvah.org/aboutus.php |archive-date=October 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> an old-age home, and a hospital. In addition to religious services, [[Kiryat Sanz, Netanya|Kiryat Sanz]] had a diamond polishing factory built by a New York diamond merchant.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Historical Perspective of Laniado Hospital |url=http://www.laniadohospital.org/historical-prospective.html |publisher=American Friends of Laniado Hospital |access-date=February 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727014112/http://www.laniadohospital.org/historical-prospective.html |archive-date=July 27, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Halberstam established his court here in 1960.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Klausenberger Rebbe: Rebuilding |last=Lifschitz |first=Judah |year=2007 |publisher=[[Targum Press]] |page=[https://archive.org/details/klausenbergerreb0000sors/page/175 175] |isbn=978-1-56871-451-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/klausenbergerreb0000sors/page/175}}</ref> Following his death in 1994, his eldest son, Rabbi [[Zvi Elimelech Halberstam]], known as the Sanzer Rebbe, became the spiritual leader of the Sanz community in Israel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishpress.com/printArticle.cfm?contentid=26813 |title=Sanz-Klausenberger Rebbe's Anticipated Visit |last=Tannenbaum |first=Rabbi Gershon |date=December 12, 2007 |access-date=December 25, 2010 |work=[[The Jewish Press]] |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713104431/http://www.jewishpress.com/printArticle.cfm?contentid=26813 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010,  Kiryat Sanz had a population of approximately 1000 families.<ref name="real">{{cite web |url=http://www.luxury-israel-real-estate.info/locations/netanya-real-estate.html |title=Netanya Real Estate |publisher=Luxury Israel Real Estate |access-date=December 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110034258/http://www.luxury-israel-real-estate.info/locations/netanya-real-estate.html |archive-date=November 10, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Most of the older generation are Holocaust survivors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=20738 |title=Rebuilding is Remembrance |last=Leibowitz Schmidt |first=Shira |date=May 4, 2006 |access-date=December 30, 2010 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]}}</ref> Besides its educational facilities for boys and girls from elementary to post-graduate,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=igJ_Y6SgUNAC&q=kiryat+sanz,+netanya&pg=PA204 |page=204 |title=Letter to My Children: From Romania to America via Auschwitz |last=Tessler |first=Rudolph |year=1999 |publisher=University of Missouri Press |isbn=978-0-8262-1244-3 |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327060859/https://books.google.com/books?id=igJ_Y6SgUNAC&q=kiryat+sanz%2C+netanya&pg=PA204 |url-status=live }}</ref> there are five synagogues, a [[mikveh]], a printing house,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sanz.dpages.co.il/ |title=Kiryat Sanz |publisher=Kiryat Sanz & Institutions |access-date=December 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721135030/http://sanz.dpages.co.il/ |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> a religious hotel, a religious nursing school, and the [[Laniado Hospital]],<ref name="real" /> which encompasses two medical centers, a children's hospital, a geriatric center and a nursing school, serving a regional population of over 450,000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.laniado.co.uk/about-laniado.html |title=About the Hospital |publisher=British Friends of Laniado Hospital |access-date=December 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112171513/http://www.laniado.co.uk/about-laniado.html |archive-date=November 12, 2010 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Other neighbourhoods===
;Neot Herzl
Located in the center of Netanya, near the Netanya interchange. It is a unification of four neighborhoods: Shikkun Sela, Gan Beracha, Amidar and Ramat Herzl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=שכונת נאות הרצל |url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/City/NB/Neighborhoods/Pages/NeotHerzl.aspx |website=netanya.muni.il |trans-title=Neot Herzl neighbourhood|language=he}}</ref> The neighborhood, like the main street of the city that runs nearby, was named after [[Theodor Herzl]]. The old settlement of [[Umm Khalid]] is also located in this neighborhood.

;Tobruk
Lies west of the Ramat Hen neighborhood. The neighborhood was established during the Second World War and is named after the port city of [[Tobruk]] in Libya. It used to be a center of  [[Diamond cutting]]. In 1947, [[The Sergeants affair|two British Army Sergeants were hanged]] in the inactive "Feldman" diamond polishing plant in this neighborhood.

;Nof Hatayelet
A comparably new neighborhood, established in 2000, along the cliff promenade, south of the "Carmel" hotel.<ref>{{Cite web |title= שכונת נוף הטיילת|url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/City/NB/Neighborhoods/Pages/NofHatayelet.aspx|website=netanya.muni.il |trans-title=Nof Hatayelet neighbourhood|language=he}}</ref> A paragliding site is located near the neighborhood.

;Ein Hatkhelet
A neighborhood of about 2,500 residents located in the north of Netanya, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea near [[Avihayil]]. Ein Hatkhelet was established as a working-class neighborhood in [[Emek Hefer]] in 1936. In 1948 it became part of the city of Netanya.<ref>{{Cite web |title=שכונת עין התכלת|url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/City/NB/Neighborhoods/Pages/EinHatchelet.aspx|website=netanya.muni.il |trans-title=Ein Hatkhelet neighbourhood|language=he}}</ref>

;Ramat Ephraim
Named after {{Ill|Aaronsohn Family|lt=Ephraim Aaronsohn|HE|משפחת אהרנסון}}. Part of it is the [[Moshav]] Ramat Tiomkin which was established in 1932 and over time was incorporated into Netanya. The moshav was founded by the people of [[Betar]], and a [[Kvutza]] named  {{Ill|Kvutzat Menorah|lt=Menorah|he|קבוצת מנורה}}. It was named after {{Ill|Ze'ev Vladimir Tiomkin|he|זאב טיומקין}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=שכונת רמת אפרים|url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/City/NB/Neighborhoods/Pages/RamatEfraim.aspx|website=netanya.muni.il |trans-title=Ramat Ephraim neighbourhood|language=he}}</ref>

;Ramat Chen 
One of the southern neighborhoods of the city, near Gesher HaAchdut. Previously called Pagi neighborhood, since it was founded by [[Poalei Agudat Yisrael]]  (Pagi is the Hebrew acronym of it).<ref>{{Cite web |title=שכונת רמת חן|url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/City/NB/Neighborhoods/Pages/RamatHen.aspx|website=netanya.muni.il |trans-title=Ramat Chen neighbourhood|language=he}}</ref>
;Neot Ganim 
Previously called "Shikkun Vatikim", this neighborhood is one of the first neighborhoods in the city and it was established in the location of the city's [[Immigrant camps (Israel)|immigrant camp]] used to be.<ref>{{Cite web |title= שכונת נאות גנים|url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/City/NB/Neighborhoods/Pages/NeotGanim.aspx|website=netanya.muni.il |trans-title=Neot Ganim neighbourhood|language=he}}</ref> At its southern end is the cemetery of the city of Netanya.
;Neve Itamar 
The neighborhood was established in 1944 as an independent settlement and was annexed to Netanya in 1949. It is named after [[Itamar Ben-Avi]], who has been an important figure in the story of the establishment of Netanya.<ref>{{Cite web |title= שכונת נווה איתמר|url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/City/NB/Neighborhoods/Pages/NeveItamar.aspx|website=netanya.muni.il |trans-title=Neve Itamar neighbourhood|language=he}}</ref>
;Ramat Poleg 
Ramat Poleg is an old neighborhood in Netanya, Israel, built in the late 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web |title= שכונת רמת פולג
|url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/City/NB/Neighborhoods/Pages/RamatPoleg.aspx|website=netanya.muni.il |trans-title=Ramat Poleg neighbourhood|language=he}}</ref> It is the most southern neighborhood in Netanya.
Ramat Poleg is an economically stable neighborhood with a rich culture and many sports activities.
;[[Ir Yamim, Netanya|Ir Yamim]]
Established in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=שכונת עיר ימים
|url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/City/NB/Neighborhoods/Pages/Iryamim.aspx |trans-title=Ir Yamim neighbourhood|language=he}}</ref> This neighborhood is located along the shoreline at the southern part of Netanya. The neighborhood borders Ramat Poleg (to its south) and the Irus nature reserve (to its north).
;Agamim 
Established in 2013, and still in construction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=שכונת אגמים
|url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/City/NB/Neighborhoods/Pages/Agamim.aspx |trans-title=Agamim neighbourhood|language=he}}</ref> It is located next to the Vernal pool
of Netanya. The neighborhood is divided into three sections, A B & C. Section C is currently in construction (as of October 2023).

==Economy==
[[File:קניון נעימי-1, נתניה.jpg|thumb|Naimi Shopping Mall]]
Industry in Netanya is largely divided between two industrial parks.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} In the south of the city, the newest of these, Pinchas Sapir (KA Poleg), houses the first branch of [[IKEA]] in Israel as well as technology companies such as [[Ceedo]].{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} Tourism also plays a major part in Netanya's economy with some 19 hotels in the city having 1,452 rooms.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

==Transportation==
[[File:Netanya Sapir Railway Station.jpg|thumb|[[Netanya Sapir Railway Station]]]]
The public transportation in Netanya is based on buses, railways and service taxis.

===Train===
The [[Netanya railway station]] is located near the city center, on the east side of [[Highway 2 (Israel)|Highway 2]]. [[Netanya Sapir railway station]] is located in the Poleg Industrial Area. [[Beit Yehoshua railway station]], located in the [[moshav]] of [[Beit Yehoshua]], immediately south of Netanya, is convenient for getting to southern Netanya and to the Poleg Industrial Area. These stations are connected to the city by [[Egged Bus Cooperative|Egged]] bus service, although Shay Li service taxis are highly predominant at the Beit Yehoshua station.<ref name="Shay Li" /> There are direct trains from Netanya and Beit Yehoshua to Tel Aviv, [[Binyamina]], [[Hadera]], [[Herzliya]], [[Lod]], [[Rehovot]], [[Ashdod]], [[Ashkelon]] and other towns. All [[Israel Railways]] stations, including [[Ben Gurion Airport Railway Station|Ben Gurion Airport]], can be accessed from Netanya by means of [[Interchange station|transfer stations]] such as Binyamina and Tel Aviv.<ref name="rail" />

===Bus===
Egged buses run from the Netanya central bus station to [[Jerusalem]], Haifa, [[Eilat]] and other destinations. Many neighborhoods have a direct connection to Tel Aviv without the need to pass through the central bus station. In addition, many Egged lines connecting Tel Aviv with the north of the country stop at the Netanya Interchange on [[Highway 2 (Israel)|Highway 2]], giving Netanya a direct connection with [[Nazareth]], [[Tiberias]], [[Kiryat Shmona]] and many other northern destinations. [[Metropoline]] operates bus services to Tel Aviv, [[Bnei Brak]] and the surrounding communities, including the city of [[Hadera]]. Some regional lines are still operated by Egged. The intracity transportation is based on [[Egged Ta'avura]] bus lines and Shay Li service taxis.<ref name="Shay Li" />

==Culture==
[[File:PikiWiki Israel 31710 Wings of light and freedom - Victory Monument in N.JPG|thumb|[[Victory Monument in Netanya]], dedicated to the victory of the [[Soviet Union]] in WW2]]
The Well House is a museum documenting the early history of Netanya. It is located in a historic building dating from 1928. Other museums are the Tribes of Israel Pearl Museum of Yemenite Jewish Heritage, the Shlomo Dror Art Institute, and the Diamimon Diamond Museum. The Cliff Gallery, Gosher Gallery, Abecassis Gallery and Fourth Gallery are all located in the city.<ref name="museums" />

War memorials include the Holocaust Train Car,<ref name="Holocaust Train" /> Beit Yad Lebanim, a memorial to fallen [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] soldiers from Netanya, the National Memorial for Fallen Ordnance Corps, the [[Alexandroni Brigade]] Memorial, the National Victory Monument, dedicated to the Soviet Red Army victory over Nazi Germany,  and the Memorial to Victims of Acts of Terror.<ref name="Victory Monument" />

In June 2016, a street in Netanya was named for Japanese diplomat [[Chiune Sugihara]], who was responsible for saving Lithuanian Jews from Nazi persecution early in World War II by providing visas allowing travel eastwards, beyond the reach of the Third Reich's genocidal grasp.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/08/national/history/israel-names-street-after-diplomat-sugihara-wwii-issuer-of-visas-for-life-to-jews/#.V1f6Xr5QaNg |title=Israel names street after diplomat Sugihara, who issued 'visas for life' to Jews during WWII |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=June 8, 2016 |website=japantimes.co.jp |publisher=The Japan Times |access-date=June 8, 2016 |quote=A ceremony on a planned street named after the late Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara was held in Netanya, Israel, on Tuesday. Sugihara issued transit visas to thousands of Jewish people during World War II, which later came to be known as “visas for life,” as they saved many from Nazi persecution. Netanya is known as a place where many Jewish people arrived after fleeing from oppression thanks to visas issued by Sugihara. The plan to build the street marks 30 years since Sugihara’s death. “It’s such an honor. I wish my father was here,” said Sugihara’s fourth son, Nobuki, 67. |archive-date=June 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608042525/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/06/08/national/history/israel-names-street-after-diplomat-sugihara-wwii-issuer-of-visas-for-life-to-jews/#.V1f6Xr5QaNg |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Education==
According to the Netanya Municipality, the city has 36,544 students including 5,351 pupils in 186 kindergartens, 16,748 in 46 elementary schools, and 14,445 in 16 high schools. Education in the city is controlled by the municipality's Education Administration.<ref name="muni-education" /> 52.7% of 12th grade students were entitled to a matriculation certificate ([[Bagrut certificate|Bagrut]]) in 2001.

[[Netanya Academic College]] offers [[Bachelor's degree|Bachelor's]] and master's degrees, and a unique program for high-school students.  Other institutions of higher education in the city are Ort Hermelin College of Engineering,  Zinman College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Lesley College, and Tesler School for Nursing.<ref name="muni-highereducation" /> The [[Wingate Institute]], Israel's National Centre for Physical Education and Sport, is located just south of the city.

==Sports==
[[File:PikiWiki Israel 33577 Golden Ball sculpture in Netanya Stadium.JPG|thumb|[[Netanya Stadium]] and the Golden Ball sculpture]]

The main stadiums in Netanya are the 13,610-seat [[Netanya Stadium]]. Netanya has three [[Association football|football]] teams, the main being [[Maccabi Netanya F.C.|Maccabi Netanya]], whose main local rival is [[Beitar Nes Tubruk F.C.|Beitar Nes Tubruk]]. The third is [[Maccabi HaSharon Netanya F.C.|Maccabi HaSharon Netanya]], though the team has been limited to fourth-tier football in the [[Liga Bet]]. [[Elitzur Netanya B.C.|Elitzur Netanya]] represents the city in the first tier of Israeli basketball. In handball, the city is represented by [[Hapoel Netanya (handball)|Hapoel Netanya]] in the 2nd tier of the Israeli handball. In baseball, the city was represented by the [[Netanya Tigers]] of the [[Israel Baseball League]]. As part of the "Netanya – city of sport" program the [[beach soccer]] stadium was established and it currently hosts Israeli championship and international "Diamond tournament" games.

Aside from the professional sports teams, Maccabi Netanya also has a boxing and fencing club while Hapoel Netanya has judo and gymnastic clubs, and [[Maccabi Elitzur Netanya B.C.|Elitzur Netanya]] has a lacrosse club.

The founder of [[Krav Maga]], [[Imi Lichtenfeld]] opened a sports academy in Netanya for the continuation of his way and his martial art.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wingatekravmaga.com/imi-lichtenfeld/ |title=Imi Lichtenfeld |access-date=October 28, 2014 |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028132445/http://www.wingatekravmaga.com/imi-lichtenfeld/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Netanya is also the home of paragliding in Israel. The moderate cliffs plus a stiff offshore breeze provide an ideal environment for safe and fun comfortable paragliding. Gliders are often seen cruising high above the beach, just along the cliff line.

Netanya was scheduled to host the [[2015 European Short Course Swimming Championships]] in December. The venue of the event was to be the brand-new swimming complex of the [[Wingate Institute]]. The new complex at the Wingate Institute features an Olympic-size pool with 10 lanes and 3m depth, backed by the latest built-in filtration systems, an 8-lane 50m pool and a 6-lane 25m pool.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.len.eu/Press/LEN%20PR10-14%20EC%20Short%20Course%202015.aspx |title=LEN – LEN PR10-14 EC Short Course 2015 |access-date=2015-03-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402103240/http://www.len.eu/Press/LEN%20PR10-14%20EC%20Short%20Course%202015.aspx |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.swimmersdaily.com/2014/08/04/len-moves-2015-short-course-europeans-to-december/ |title=LEN moves 2015 Short Course Europeans to December |date=August 4, 2014 |access-date=March 18, 2015 |archive-date=July 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704154708/http://www.swimmersdaily.com/2014/08/04/len-moves-2015-short-course-europeans-to-december/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Netanya hosted the [[2018 World Lacrosse Championship|World Lacrosse Championship]] tournament on July 12–21, 2018, thus making Israel the first country to host such where English is not the primary spoken language. Forty-six nations from around the world sent teams.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://filacrosse.com/israel-to-host-2018-fil-mens-lacrosse-world-championship/ |title=Israel to Host 2018 FIL Men's Lacrosse World Championship |publisher=Federation of International Lacrosse |date=23 May 2017 |access-date=June 1, 2018 |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721162146/https://filacrosse.com/israel-to-host-2018-fil-mens-lacrosse-world-championship/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The city hosted the 2021 [[FINA Junior Water Polo World Championships]].<ref>[https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1113997/2021-fina-world-womens-junior-water-polo "Russia after fourth title at FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championship"]. Owen Lloyd ([[Inside the Games]]), 9 October 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2021. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107092951/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1113997/2021-fina-world-womens-junior-water-polo |date=November 7, 2021}}.</ref>

==Urban development==
[[File:Natanjap087.jpg|thumb|Beach promenade of Netanya]]
Several of the [[List of tallest buildings in Israel|tallest buildings in Israel]] are located in Netanya. The construction of eight new skyscrapers, six of them over 30 stories, was approved in 2011. Dozens of 40–42-story skyscrapers have been planned, many of them along the shore.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4070866,00.html |title=mynet נתניה – קפיצה לגובה: שמונה גורדי שחקים יוקמו בנתניה |publisher=Mynet.co.il |access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215000/http://www.mynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4070866,00.html |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.l-y.co.il/LY/Content/HomePage/Info/Articles/NadlanArticle/Article,325.aspx |title=של מי יותר גבוה|access-date=October 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319135251/http://www.l-y.co.il/LY/Content/HomePage/Info/Articles/NadlanArticle/Article,325.aspx |archive-date=March 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Netanya is developing according to master plans for 2035 which seek to massively increase residential units and office space in the city, as well as a new marina and piers. As part of the plan, the intention of the municipality is for the city's population to reach 320,000 by 2035.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1598&ArticleID=2392 |title=Netanya 2035 Metropolitan Core Outline Plan |access-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-date=January 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010555/https://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1598&ArticleID=2392 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The city seeks to become a major tourist hub for local and overseas tourism, with an "Israeli Riviera" on the shore.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/1,7340,L-3928867,00.html |title=Netanya mayor dreams of Israeli Riviera – Israel Business, Ynetnews |newspaper=Ynetnews |publisher=Ynetnews.com |date=June 20, 1995 |access-date=March 12, 2013 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018072448/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/1,7340,L-3928867,00.html |url-status=live|last1=Sasson-Ezer |first1=Shirly }}</ref> Among the projects planned in 2013 was the construction of 2,062 housing units and 1,100 hotel rooms while leaving much of the land as open space. The city has set itself a goal to expand open space from 56 to 70 percent. The plan is expected to attract more residents, boost hotel development, and increase the number of gardens and green spaces.<ref>{{cite web |last=Udasin |first=Sharon |url=https://www.jpost.com/Sci-Tech/Article.aspx?id=298234 |title=Netanya landfill to be developed into housing units &#124; JPost &#124; Israel News |date=January 3, 2013 |publisher=JPost |access-date=March 26, 2013 |archive-date=March 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317011729/http://www.jpost.com/Sci-Tech/Article.aspx?id=298234 |url-status=live}}</ref> It has been suggested that as the city's population expands, a [[light rail]] system may be built there in the future.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://netanya.mynet.co.il/local_news/article/m_393471 |title=דרישה בנתניה: קו רכבת קלה עד לתחנות בית יהושע וספיר |date=July 15, 2019 |website=mynetnetanya |access-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203222036/https://netanya.mynet.co.il/local_news/article/m_393471 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://netanyanet.co.il/חדשות-נתניה/חדשות-מקומיות/6375-רכבת-קלה |title=האם תוקם רכבת קלה בנתניה? |first=נתניה |last=נט |website=netanyanet.co.il |access-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126093633/https://netanyanet.co.il/%D7%97%D7%93%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%A0%D7%AA%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%94/%D7%97%D7%93%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%9E%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA/6375-%D7%A8%D7%9B%D7%91%D7%AA-%D7%A7%D7%9C%D7%94 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Israel}}
Netanya is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=ערים תאומות |url=https://www.netanya.muni.il/?CategoryID=2103 |website=netanya.muni.il |publisher=Netanya |language=he |access-date=2020-02-24 |archive-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217204401/https://www.netanya.muni.il/?CategoryID=2103 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |script-title=ka:ჩვენი ქალაქი – დამეგობრებული ქალაქები |trans-title=Our city – sister cities |url=https://batumi.ge/ge/?page=show&sec=5 |website=batumi.ge |publisher=Batumi |language=ka |access-date=2020-02-24 |archive-date=October 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191031040715/https://batumi.ge/ge/?page=show&sec=5 |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|GEO}} [[Batumi]], Georgia
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Bournemouth]], United Kingdom
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Como]], Italy
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Dortmund]], Germany
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Gelendzhik]], Russia
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Giessen]], Germany
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], Australia
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Nice]], France
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Nowy Sącz]], Poland
*{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Poděbrady]], Czech Republic
*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Sarcelles]], France
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Siófok]], Hungary
*{{flagicon|NOR}} [[Stavanger]], Norway
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sunny Isles Beach, Florida|Sunny Isles Beach]], United States
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Xiamen]], China
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
[[File:Yarden Gerbi.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Yarden Gerbi]]]]
[[File:20150514 ESC 2015 Nadav Guedj 5544.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Nadav Guedj]]]]
[[File:Sagi muki. Photo by Paco Lozano.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Sagi Muki]]]]
[[File:Or Sasson - Rio 2016.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Or Sasson]]]]
[[File:Admor sitting with bekashe.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam]]]]
*[[Linor Abargil]] (born 1980), attorney, actress and model, winner of the [[Miss World 1998]]
*[[Eduard Akuvaev]] (1945–2015), Russian-Israeli artist and teacher
*[[Tova Ascher]], Israeli film editor, director, and screenwriter 
*[[Yityish Titi Aynaw]] (born 1991), model and television personality, winner of the Miss Israel 2013
*[[Orit Bar-On]] (born 1975), Olympic judoka
*[[Yehuda Barkan]] (1945–2020), actor and filmmaker
*[[Edith Hahn Beer]] (1914–2009), Austrian Jewish woman who survived the Holocaust by hiding her Jewish identity and marrying a Nazi officer
*[[Cheryl Bentov]] (born 1960), American real estate agent and former Israeli Mossad agent
*[[Maya Bouskilla]] (born 1977), singer and songwriter
*[[Noah Brosch]] (born 1948), astronomer, astrophysicist and space researcher
*[[Yonatan Chetboun|Yonatan "Yoni" Chetboun]] (born 1979), member of the Knesset
*[[Eli Dasa]] (born 1992), footballer for [[FC Dynamo Moscow|Dynamo Moscow]] and the [[Israel national football team|Israel national team]]
*[[Artem Dolgopyat]] (born 1997), Olympic champion and world champion gymnast
*[[Jacko Eisenberg]] (born 1980), singer
*[[Eva Fabian]] (born 1993), American-Israeli world champion swimmer
*[[Ilay Feingold]] (born 2004), footballer for the Major League Soccer club [[New England Revolution]]
*[[Eli Finish]] (born 1975), actor and comedian
*[[Yarden Gerbi]] (born 1989), world champion and Olympic bronze medalist judoka
*[[Haim Gidon]] (born 1944), martial artist
*[[Moshe Glam]] (born 1968), football player
*[[Ageze Guadie]] (born 1989), Olympic marathon runner
*[[Nadav Guedj]] (born 1998), singer and actor, Israeli [[Eurovision Song Contest 2015]] entrant
*[[Yekusiel Yehudah Halberstam]] (1905–1994), [[Klausenburg (Hasidic dynasty)|Klausenburger]] [[Rebbe]]
*[[Zvi Elimelech Halberstam]] (born 1952), [[Sanz (Hasidic dynasty)|Sanzer]] Rebbe
*[[Yitzhak Harel|Yitzhak "Haki" Harel]] (born 1957), civil servant and army general
*[[Mariano Idelman]] (born 1974), actor and comedian
*[[Silvi Jan]] (born 1973), female professional and Israeli team footballer
*[[Deniz Khazaniuk]] (born 1994), tennis player
*[[Baruch Kimmerling]] (1939–2007), scholar and professor of sociology
*[[Moti Kirschenbaum]] (1939–2015), television presenter and filmmaker
*[[Elad Koren]] (born 1968), former professional footballer
*[[Aliza Lavie]] (born 1964), academic and politician
*[[David Levin (ice hockey)|David Levin]] (born 1999), ice hockey player
*[[Ronny Levy]] (born 1966), football player and now a manager
*[[Imi Lichtenfeld]] (1910–1998), martial artist, founded [[Krav Maga]]
*[[Nili Lotan]], Israeli-American fashion designer
*[[Oded Machnes]] (born 1956), football player
*[[Yossi Malka]] (born 1974), football player
*[[Baruch Mizrahi|Baruch Mizrachi]] (1926–1948) Arab-Jewish militant (1926–1948)
*[[Tesama Moogas]] (born 1988), Olympic marathon runner
*[[Sagi Muki]] (born 1992), Olympian and world champion judoka
*[[Andrea Murez]] (born 1992), Israeli–American Olympic swimmer for Israel
*[[Amos Neheysi]] (born 1979), former football player 
*[[Gabi Packer]] (born 1969), former football player
*[[Romi Paritzki]] (born 2004), world champion rhythmic gymnast
*[[Or Sasson]] (born 1990), Olympic bronze medalist judoka
*[[Stav Shaffir]] (born 1985), activist, journalist, and politician
*[[Arik Shivek]] (born 1956), professional basketball coach
*[[Mordechai Spiegler]] (born 1944), football player
*[[Shiraz Tal]] (born 1974), model
*[[Shalom Tikva]] (born 1965), football player
*[[Margalit Tzan'ani]] (born 1948), singer and television personality
*[[Meir Wieseltier]] (born 1941), poet, translator and journalist
*[[Ehud Yatom]] (born 1948), Shin Bet agent and Knesset member
*[[Ron Yosef]] (born 1974), openly gay [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox Jewish]] [[rabbi]]
*[[Avi Alfasi]] (born 1980), former Israeli football player

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:VIEW OF ZION SQUARE IN NETANYA. כיכר ציון בנתניה.D25-071.jpg|Zion Square, Netanya, 1939
File:PikiWiki Israel 475 NETANYA GAN HAMELECH גן המלך.jpg|Gan Hamelech, 1940
File:נתניה - מראה-JNF025863.jpeg|Netanya 1947
File:Umm Khalid 1949.jpg|Natanya 1939 1:20,000
File:Umm Khalid 1945.jpg|Natanya 1945 1:250,000
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of Netanya neighborhoods]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=
<ref name="history">{{cite web |url=http://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1617 |title=History |access-date=April 6, 2008 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714203218/https://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1617 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="density">{{cite web |url=http://www1.cbs.gov.il/reader/shnaton/templ_shnaton_e.html?num_tab=st02_15&CYear=2007 |title=Population Density |access-date=April 6, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124163200/http://www1.cbs.gov.il/reader/shnaton/templ_shnaton_e.html?num_tab=st02_15&CYear=2007 |archive-date=November 24, 2007 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
<ref name="origin">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbs.gov.il/reader/shnaton/templ_shnaton_e.html?num_tab=st02_23x&CYear=2007 |title=Origins |access-date=April 6, 2008 |archive-date=November 24, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071124163403/http://www1.cbs.gov.il/reader/shnaton/templ_shnaton_e.html?num_tab=st02_23x&CYear=2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="cbs-ethiopian">{{cite web |url=http://www.cbs.gov.il/hodaot2009n/11_09_252b.pdf |title=Press Release – The Ethiopian Community in Israel |publisher=[[Israel Central Bureau of Statistics]] |date=November 15, 2009 |access-date=December 18, 2010 |language=he |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113172224/http://www.cbs.gov.il/hodaot2009n/11_09_252b.pdf |archive-date=November 13, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Shay Li">{{cite web |url=http://www.monitshay.com/index.asp |title=The official website of Shay Li service taxis with routes and timetables |access-date=November 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218150046/http://www.monitshay.com/index.asp |archive-date=December 18, 2008 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
<ref name="rail">{{cite web |url=http://www.israrail.org.il/english |title=Israel Railways' schedule |access-date=November 19, 2008 |publisher=[[Israel Railways]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822010053/http://www.israrail.org.il/english <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=August 22, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="museums">{{cite web |url=http://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1720 |title=Museums and Galleries |access-date=April 7, 2008 |archive-date=December 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220201646/http://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1720 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="muni-education">{{cite web |url=http://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1641 |title=Education |access-date=April 6, 2008 |archive-date=December 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220234015/http://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1641 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="muni-highereducation">{{cite web |url=http://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1645 |title=Higher Education |access-date=April 7, 2008 |archive-date=December 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220234037/http://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/?CategoryID=1645 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="Holocaust Train">{{cite web |url=http://israel21c.org/nostalgia-israel/train-car/ |title=Netanya the last stop for Holocaust train car |date=January 26, 2014 |access-date=April 29, 2014 |archive-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430073414/http://israel21c.org/nostalgia-israel/train-car/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name="Victory Monument">{{cite web |url=http://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/_Uploads/dbsAttachedFiles/andarta2.pdf |title=The site of the Memorial p. 10 |access-date=April 29, 2014 |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023072451/http://www.netanya.muni.il/Eng/_Uploads/dbsAttachedFiles/andarta2.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref>
<!--
<ref name="Nowy Sącz">{{cite web |url=http://www.nowysacz.pl/?p=1&p2=167&main=inc-miastapar |title=''Nowy Sącz – Partner Cities'' |date=2008 |publisher=Urząd Miasta Nowego Sącza, Rynek 1, 33–300 Nowy Sącz |access-date=August 3, 2009}}</ref>-->
}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Netanya}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
*[https://www.netanya.muni.il/en/Pages/default.aspx Official website] {{in lang|en}} 
*[http://www.netanya.muni.il Official website] {{in lang|he}}
*[http://www.arzaworld.com/israel-travel-guide/israel-travel-destinations/netanya.aspx Things to do in Netanya] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024231920/https://arzaworld.com/israel-travel-guide/israel-travel-destinations/netanya.aspx |date=October 24, 2018 }} 
*[http://www.govisitisrael.com/netanya/169/ Places To Visit in Netanya] 
*[https://gonetanya.com/?lang=en Go Netanya] Netanya Association for Tourism
*[http://netanya-israel-blog.blogspot.com Other information, in French]
*[http://www.inisrael.com/netanya/index.html Tourism site] 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002805/http://surf-israel.com/tag/netanya/ Surfing in Netanya]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110418014334/http://www.7winds.co.il/eng/index.php?p=tandems Tandem Paragliding Netanya]
*[http://primo.nli.org.il/primo-explore/search?query=any,contains,%D7%A0%D7%AA%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%94%20MAP&tab=default_tab&search_scope=Local&sortby=lso01&vid=NLI&mfacet=rtype,include,Maps,1&mfacet=tlevel,include,online_resources,1&mfacet=topic,include,Netanya%20(Israel),2&lang=iw_IL&offset=0&came_from=sort Historic scanned maps] of Netanya, 1937–1966, from the Eran Laor Cartographic Collection, The [[National Library of Israel]]

{{Center District (Israel)}}
{{Largest Israeli cities}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Netanya| ]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1929]]
[[Category:French-Jewish culture in Israel]]
[[Category:Sharon plain]]
[[Category:Cities in Central District (Israel)]]
[[Category:1929 establishments in Mandatory Palestine]]