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Netanya's origins can be traced back to the year 1928 when a group of young people, the children of settlers from the Galilee, decided to establish a group of settlements along the coastal plain which would be devoted to citriculture. Their first step was to set up an urbo-agricultural settlement near the Arab. village of Urn Haled. The bloody disturbances which broke out just at that time, led them to have second thoughts, and in view of the political and security situation, they decided to modify the original plan and set up a purely urban settlement. Plans were drawn up for the founding of a town, and in 1936 the -first master plan was completed.
This master plan was based on an area of 10,000 dunams, comprising for the most part agricultural land which was already planted with citrus groves and taking in a narrow strip of sandy soil along the coast.
The influx of immigrants from Europe after the second world war and the transfer of the diamond industry from the Netherlands, added an industrial dimension to Netanya and steps were taken to enlarge the municipal area, at first to the east, by erecting an industrial park. Following the establishment of the State, the city expanded southwards at a pace which rapidly doubled and then trebled its original size.
Netanya has been blessed by nature with a delightful beach and the town quickly developed into an internationally-known holiday resort. The first holidaymakers to discover Netanya were the local Israeli population-particularly the Jerusalemites-but it was not long before Netanya's fame spread overseas, particularly to the countries of northern Europe whose inhabitants return year after year to spend part of the winter months away from their own harsh climate. As a result. Netanya developed into an all-the-year-round holiday resort and numerous hotels sprang up, mostly designed to cater to the tourist of average means. These were later complemented by several first-class luxury hotels. All manner of business enterprises, large and small, were founded in Netanya including such industrial branches as rubber, textiles, dyeing, metal and welding, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, etc. and a second industrial park is currently being developed to provide a fitting home for the diamond industry which made its first home in Netanya.
Plans have been drawn-up to establish a combined residential, commercial and administrative centre to the south of the city. This centre will reflect the importance of Netanya which has became the regional centre for the whole Sharon area. The stretch of land adjacent to the seashore will be converted into a broad strip of public parks in which will be sited hotels and entertainment facilities for tourists and inhabitants alike. Generous areas have been set aside for regional services such as medical and educational centres, municipal offices, museums, etc. There will also be exhibition grounds and a municipal sports arena capable of hosting national events. This southern area terminates an the far side of Nahal Poleg in the northern section of the planned National Park which will take in the Wingate Institute for Physical Education.
Special attention has been paid to the development of Netanyas beaches and a series of breakwaters have been constructed which protect the cliffs from erosion and have created a wide expanse of beaches for safe, all-the-year-round bathing in the waters of the Mediterranean. There arc also plans far a marina to accommodate small boats and this will give further encouragement to the development of sailing and boating along the length of Israel's Mediterranean coastline.
Netanya today boasts a population of some 100.000 and plays an Important role in absorbing new immigrants. The town is, in fact, one of the major centres of immigration from the prosperous and under-developed countries alike. There is a special magic about Netanya which attracts both immigrants and investors and convinces them that there can be no better place in which to make their home.
