History of Netanya - Israel resort

History

of Netanya

Netanya is one of the most beautiful and dynamic cities in Israel, located on the Mediterranean coast.

The city of Netanya was officially founded on February 18, 1929. It was named in honor of Nathan Straus, a prominent Jewish-American merchant and philanthropist of the early 20th century, who was co-owner of the Macy’s department store in New York.

Straus was widely admired for his generosity, donating two-thirds of his personal fortune to projects supporting Jews and Arabs in Mandatory Palestine. His legacy of charity and vision continues to inspire, and Netanya — bearing his name — has grown into a vibrant modern city, celebrated for its beaches, cultural life, and welcoming atmosphere.

The funding for the Netanya settlement project was organized by Itamar Ben-Avi and Oved Ben-Ami, who traveled to the United States to raise financial support. In 1928, members of the Bnei Binyamin Association and the Hanotea organization, following the initiative inspired by Nathan Straus, purchased 350 acres of land in Umm Khaled.

The first five settlers moved to the land in February 1929, after a water source was discovered. Development of the town was soon interrupted by the 1929 Palestine riots and the massacre of Jews in the region. However, by September of the same year, progress resumed, and the first ten houses were inaugurated during the festival of Sukkot.

This marked the true beginning of Netanya’s growth, from a small pioneering settlement into a thriving Mediterranean city.

In 1930, the first kindergarten opened in Netanya, followed by the city’s first school in 1931. In 1933, British architect Clifford Holliday designed a master plan envisioning Netanya as a seaside resort town.

In 1934, the first Aliyah Bet ship brought 350 immigrants to Netanya’s shores. Between 1934 and 1939, more than seventeen additional ships arrived, making Netanya a central destination for Jewish immigration during that period.

By 1940, the British Mandate government officially recognized Netanya as a local council, with Oved Ben-Ami elected as its first head. By 1944, Netanya’s population had grown to 4,900 residents. In 1945, the first high school opened, marking an important step in the city’s educational development.

On December 3, 1948, following the withdrawal of British forces and Israel’s War of Independence, Netanya was officially declared a city within the newly established State of Israel.

Since its early days, Netanya has blossomed into a thriving center of tourism and leisure, attracting visitors with its golden beaches, modern infrastructure, and rich cultural life. Often referred to as the Israeli Riviera, the city combines the natural beauty of the Mediterranean coastline with the charm of the Sharon Valley, where it is located.

Many of Netanya’s landmarks are just steps away from the seafront, making it an ideal destination for those who enjoy both relaxation and exploration.

Netanya’s Beaches
The beaches are the city’s greatest pride. Long, well-equipped stretches of sand offer perfect conditions for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Among the most popular are:

Sironit Beach (Galei HaYam Street) — considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Netanya, ideal for swimming and family relaxation.
Poleg Beach — known for its wide open spaces, lifeguard stations, shaded rest areas, and cafes.

Sports and Leisure
Sports play an important role in Netanya’s lifestyle. The city boasts modern facilities such as stadiums, tennis courts, and swimming pools. Thanks to the perfect weather and easy sea access, kite surfing, wind surfing, and other water sports are especially popular.

Netanya today offers a unique blend of natural beauty, recreation, and culture, making it one of the most beloved resort cities in Israel.

The monuments of Netanya reflect its multicultural history. One of the most significant is the Victory Monument of the Red Army over Nazi Germany, a memorial complex dedicated to the heroic victory of the Soviet soldiers who defeated Nazism.

The memorial was established by the Government of Israel with the consent of the Russian government. The construction cost was about 2 million USD, with the Russian Jewish Congress contributing around 500,000 USD, alongside support from the Keren HaYesod Jewish National Fund.

The design of the memorial symbolizes the journey from darkness to light, connecting the Red Army’s victory with the end of the Holocaust and the rebirth of the Jewish state. It consists of two contrasting elements:

A black bunker, representing World War II and the darkness of that era.
Two massive white wings, symbolizing victory, hope, and memory.

These wings are often associated with the imagery of cranes, inspired by the famous song “Cranes,” or interpreted as the soaring wings of a dove — a universal symbol of peace and goodwill.

The Victory Memorial is located on the seafront of Netanya, near another important site, the “Yad LeBanim” memorial, dedicated to Israel’s fallen soldiers.

Since its foundation, Netanya has grown into a flourishing hub of tourism and leisure, drawing visitors with its golden sandy beaches, modern infrastructure, and vibrant cultural life. The city is often called the Israeli Riviera, admired for the scenic landscapes of the Mediterranean coastline and the Sharon Valley, at the heart of which Netanya lies.

Netanya’s Beaches
The beaches are the pride of the city: long, well-equipped, and perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Two of the most popular are:

Sironit Beach (Galei HaYam Street) — one of the most beautiful beaches in Netanya, ideal for swimming and family recreation.
Poleg Beach — known for its wide open sands, lifeguard stations, rest areas, and beachside cafes.

Sports and Activities
Sports play a key role in Netanya’s identity. The city is home to stadiums, tennis courts, and swimming pools. Thanks to favorable weather and open access to the sea, kite surfing, wind surfing, and other water sports are especially popular here.

Today, Netanya blends natural beauty, recreation, and culture, making it one of Israel’s most attractive resort cities.

One of the most beloved attractions in Netanya is the Kikar Fountain, unique for its jets of water that rise directly from the ground. At night, the fountain is beautifully illuminated with colorful lights, turning it into a real spectacle. The surface around the fountain is specially designed to prevent slipping, making it safe for children to run and play barefoot. On hot summer days, the fountain becomes a true paradise for kids, who joyfully splash through the water. Nearby, there is a small pond with live fish, so tiny that a child can walk around it in less than half a minute.

In the southern part of the city, modern residential neighborhoods have been built with spacious courtyards and the large shopping mall Ir Yamim. This area is also home to Poleg Beach, known for its gentle sandy slope without rocks, making it especially family-friendly.

Just across from the new neighborhoods lies the Irusim Nature Reserve, a coastal gem where rare black irises, broom shrubs, and many other wildflowers bloom in late winter and early spring. The reserve features three walking trails, free 24/7 access, and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, the sandy dunes, and the modern cityscape. Strolling here feels like walking through Baltic dunes: soft sand underfoot, gentle hills protecting from the wind, and scenic lookouts waiting at the top.