All these luxury apartments and hotels but where is the housing for young Israelis? To buy an apartment in the center or Sharon is over a million shekels in a not so great neighbourhood! And I believe that all these real estators and bankers in Israel have seen the mint made by the likes of Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan in America and are blowing up a huge housing bubble here to force the taxpayers to bail them out so they don't have to use their own capital and then profit to the tune of 100% from a local financial crises just like Goldman and JP did! ARRGHT!

Sorry, I don't want to offent local patriots but I found Netanya an ugly city when I was there in June. The main square looks like a run-down square in communist Russia but also the rest of the city is currently at 3d world standard, with exception of the beautiful beach and the new residential area across the railway. I cannot imagine this city to conquer with Tel Aviv or Herzliya in a short term. I was so disappointed of this city that I decided not to visit it again. Those "French" are probably from Morocco. From European point of view, Netanya is currently a run-down city. It would merit more attention and investments!

Yes Netanya has grown shabbier over the years but look at the levels of crime every day there has been a major crime incident look at the hebrew y-net.This is big major crime killings murders mafia attempts at murder anyone who is innocent could get caught up in this.Where are the police ?Also there seems to be alot of othere non mafia crime .What is happening there?

I spent six dreadful years in Netanya. Gavriel is right, the 'French' in Netanya are Moroccans and Tunisians. The Russians turned the place into a mafia capital and the 'native' Luvim (Tripolitanim)... well... The town is full of crooked lawyers and real estaters... Tel-Zur, Lev-Ran... etc. Then there is ButBul, the serial conwoman... The real estate boom in Israel will burst first in Netanya!

I'm fed up of this anti Mizrahi racism. What's the problem with Netanya? It might not be as beautiful as Marbella, but it's far to be as neglected as Hungary (except maybe for some parts of Budapest). I've even seen some places in Greece, Portugal or Italy that were much worse than Netanya. Also, Netanya is developping very fast and people there do enjoy a standard of living comparable to the European Union average (which is not the case for Hungary). By the way, I was born in Morocco and I'm a French citizen. About 75% of French Jews are from North Africa and I don't see why it would pose a problem to anyone. As many ''false French'' I visit Netanya very often and I help to develop the local economy. I really don't see why this would be bad for the country. The 50's and the 60's, when Moroccans were ostracised are over. Saying that French Jews of Moroccan or Tunisian descent cannot be French is stupid. It's exactly the same as saying that Rudy Giuliani is not a real American or that Sarkozy is not really French. Maybe those who like to ostracise the Mizrahim should wonder why ''Moroccan'', ''Algerian'' or ''Tunisian'' Jews are so succesful in France while in Israel, they've been second class citizens until the 1980's. By the way, most North African Jews became francophones before the 1940's. They benefited from a French education and Algerian Jews became French citizens in 1870's. What do you expect more from us? That we create a new Black Panther Party?

#2 and #4 are entitled to their own opinions, but I have lived all over Israel and lived in Europe and traveled a great deal. Netanya is a good city, the improvements are among some of the best in the country. Miriam has done an amazing job. The other parts of Netanya that arent mentioned, East Netanya, Poleg, Ir Yamim , Nat 600 are rediculously nice areas, much nicer than what I have seen in Israel and definately on par with nice areas in the States. Many young familes that work in high tech live there. The city is a littly dumpy but has a lot of action, no more scummy people than in Philly, where I grew up. The city is in much better shape than most parts of Philly. I have met many from France in Netanya. Most parts of Europe that I saw where dumpy. I have been to over 20 European cities or towns. I love it here, and it just getting better. New medical centers, tennis centers, sport techs, brand new schools, synogogues, bike park, shopping centers, a mall that is promising to be one of Israel's finest, Hi tech company's are moving here. Good resteraunts. Great Job Miriam. Like I said people are entitled to their own opinion, and frankly i'm glad they won't come back, all the great things here won't get over croweded. And by the way, anyone who is afraid from the Mafia in Netanya has obviously never been in a US city at night. Much safer city than almost any city in America. That comment made me laugh.

Netanya is one of the most vibrant, friendly cities in the world. there is something for everyone there. all kinds of restaurants, shops, sports, beaches, events. hotels are amazingly inexpensive. it is Not ugly. kol hakavod Gveret Rosh ha Ir.