Chairman of the Russian Parliament, Sergei Yevgenievich Naryshkin, in a Monumental Visit to Netanya

Chairman of the Russian Parliament, Sergei Yevgenievich Naryshkin, on his visit in Netanya: “This is a groundbreaking visit of national importance for both nations, the city of Netanya will go down in history” Mayor of Netanya, Miriam Fierberg-Ikar: “It is a great honor for the city of Netanya, as a city that welcomes immigrant absorption, to serve as a destination for convening cultural events of international importance.”

The visit participated additional senior officials, including: Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal-Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) and Alexey Pushkov, Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Relations.

Following the historic visit of Russian President, Vladimir Putin in Netanya, during which he inaugurated the national monument to mark the victory of the Red Army, Today (Tuesday, 25 February), Mayor of Netanya, Miriam Feirberg – Ikar, hosted yet another monumental visit to Netanya – with the arrival of a delegation led by Sergei Yevgenievich Naryshkin – a Russian statesman, who serves as Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the lower house of the Russian parliament.

The visit was held in collaboration with Russian Federation Ambassador to Israel, Sergey Yakovlev, former Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Peter Stegny, leader of the Liberal-Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Relations, Alexey Pushkov, members of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, and General Director of the Netanya Municipality, Izzy Inbar, MK and Chairman of the Committee for Absorption and the Diaspora, Yoel Razvozov, Director of the Society for the Encouragement of Tourism, Olga Luria, and Director of the Division of Immigrant Absorption, George Dubin.

According to the organizers, the city of Netanya was selected by the Parliament Chairman to host the visit due to its unique characteristics as an immigrant absorbing city, which hosts a large percentage of immigrants from the Soviet Union and is the home of a National Monument marking the Red Army’s victory over Nazi Germany.

The purpose of this official visit, which began with a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial plaza monument, located in the “Yad Labanim” compound, is to develop parliamentary relations with Israel.

During the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument, Sergei Yevgenievich Naryshkin stated, “This is a groundbreaking visit of national importance for both nations, the city of Netanya will go down in history.” He added, I’m excited to be here in Netanya, in this beautiful area of the city, where a monument was erected to mark the victory of the Red Army. This is my first visit to Netanya, but I have heard much about it and about its mayor, who is leading it successfully. I would like to note the many contributions of Jewish soldiers, who were an essential part of the Red Army and who liberated Europe from the Nazi enemy – and for that I would like to express my deepest admiration. Veterans preserve history, and now, here in Netanya, we will build a Council of Representatives, which will preserve the memory of this glorious history.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony, the Netanya City Hall delegation arrived and a professional discussion was held regarding the establishment of a “Council of Former Soviet Union Intellectuals for Preserving the History.” Also invited to participate in the discussion were several dozens of artists, creators, intellectuals and culture personas who immigrated to Israel from Russia, including Netanyian artists: Michael Hazin, Lev Segal and Joseph Kaplan, several works of which are featured in the lobby of Netanya’s City Hall.

Following the hearing’s conclusion, an intimate meeting was held between the Mayor of Netanya and the Chairman of the Russian Parliament.

Mayor of Netanya, Mayor Feirberg – Ikar, stated, “It is a great honor for the city of Netanya, as a city that welcomes immigrant absorption, to serve as a destination for convening cultural events of international importance. The visit serves as yet another step towards strengthening ties between Israel and Russia, while strengthening Netanya’s position as a leading city.”

She added that Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal-Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), accepted her invitation and will come stay in the city sometime around the month of October.