Relations between Netanya and Iași began on 20 September 2005, when a Cooperation Agreement was signed in Iași by Miriam Fierberg-Ikar, Mayor of Netanya, and Gheorghe Nichita, Mayor of Iași.
On 5 December 2022, the Twin City Agreement between the two cities was signed in Netanya by Miriam Fierberg-Ikar, Mayor of Netanya, and Mihai Chirica, Mayor of Iași. The signing ceremony was attended by Ephraim Bulmash, Deputy Mayor of Netanya and Commissioner for Tourism and Foreign Relations, Yoram Cohen, Director General of the Municipality of Netanya, Olga Lurie, CEO of the Netanya Association for Tourism, Foreign Relations and Twin Cities, Archil Chikovani, Mayor of Batumi, and representatives of both municipalities.
Iași is the second-largest city in Romania and the capital of Iași County, located in the historic region of Moldavia. The city has a population of approximately 320,000, while its metropolitan area is home to more than 500,000 residents.
Iași is regarded as the leading academic, cultural, and economic center of eastern Romania. It is home to the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, founded in 1860, the first university established in Romania.
Among the city’s most notable landmarks are the Palace of Culture (Palatul Culturii), Union Square (Piața Unirii), the Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre, the Three Hierarchs Monastery (Trei Ierarhi), Copou Park, and the Botanical Garden, one of the oldest and largest in Romania.
The Jewish community of Iași has played a significant role in the city’s history and development. Today, Iași continues to preserve its Jewish heritage and maintains close ties with the local Jewish community and the State of Israel. Within the framework of the Twin City relationship, Netanya and Iași cooperate in the fields of culture, education, tourism, heritage, and community relations.
