Netanya, Netanya

On July 11, 1947, two British intelligence sergeants were kidnapped by the Etzel, later being hanged in a eucalyptus grove near the village of Even Yehuda, from Netanya, (in what became known as the Sergeants affair) in response to the hanging of three members of Etzel.

When fighting calmed down, Netanya was designated, on December 3, 1948 a city, the first city to be designated in the newly established State of Israel.

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, 40,700 from Africa, 18,100 from Asia, and 38,100 from Israel.

The city is the capital of the Sharon plain, a geographic region stretching from the Mediterranean in the west to the hills of Samaria in the east, and the modern day Tel Aviv metropolitan area in the south northwards to Mount Carmel. Although 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 moshavim and kibbutzim, south of Netanya is relatively clear of settlement until Herzliya and the start of the Gush Dan, Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area. Likewise, to the north is clear of large settlement until Hadera, and 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 councils of Kfar Yona and Even Yehuda.

Netanya is home to the Poleg nature reserve and the Irises Dora Rainpool nature park containing the world's largest population of Iris atropurpurea.

Another station is located in the nearby moshav of Bet Yehoshua and is convenient for getting to southern Netanya and to the Poleg Industrial Area. Both stations are connected to the city by Egged bus service, although Shay Li service taxis are highly predominant at the Beit Yehoshua Railway Station.

All Israel Railways stations, including Ben Gurion Airport, can be accessed from Netanya by means of transfer stations such as Binyamina and Tel Aviv.

As part of "Netanya - city of sport" program the beach soccer stadium was established and it currently hosts Israeli championship and international "Diamond tournament" games.

Source: Wikipedia > Netanya