Miriam Feirberg
Miriam Feirberg | |
|---|---|
מרים פיירברג | |
 Feirberg in 2006 | |
| 13th Mayor of Netanya | |
| In office 10 November 1998 – 21 November 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Vered Swid |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 July 1951 Acre, Israel |
| Died | 21 November 2025 (aged 74) Netanya, Israel |
| Party | Likud |
| Spouse(s) | Eli Feirberg (div. 2004) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Bar-Ilan University |
Miriam Feirberg-Ikar (Hebrew: מרים פיירברג-איכר; 11 July 1951 – 21 November 2025) was an Israeli politician. At the time of her death, she was serving as the mayor of Netanya, a city in the Central District of Israel. Feirberg was the first elected female mayor in Netanya and is one of the few women who have served as mayors of Israeli cities.[1]
Background
Miriam Feirberg was born in Acre, a city in northern Israel. Her father was an officer in the Israel Border Police, and her mother was a social worker.[2] She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology, criminology and social work, and her Master of Arts degree in social work, both from Bar-Ilan University.[2]
Feirberg was married to Eli Feirberg. They have a son, Tzafrir, and a daughter, Tal. In 2004, she married Roni Ikar, former CEO of Netanya municipality.[3] She died on 21 November 2025, at the age of 74.[4]
Public service career
From 1972 to 1988, Feirberg was a social worker and head of the Netanya municipal social services department. In 1998, she was elected mayor of Netanya. She was reelected mayor in 2003, 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2024.
Controversy
In September 2016, Feirberg was arrested on suspicion of bribery, fraud, and abuse of power in connection with alleged municipal corruption,[5][6] by Lahav 433.[7] In June 2019, the investigation against Feirberg was closed, after State Prosecutor Shai Nitzan and other officials found a lack of evidence against her.[8][9]
Awards and recognition
Feirberg won the 1990 prize for efficient management from the Union of Local Authorities in Israel.
References
- ^ "Representation of Women in Elections for Local Authority Heads". en.idi.org.il (in Hebrew). July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ a b Biography on the website of Netanya municipality (in Hebrew)
- ^ Ben Zur, Raanan (4 April 2004). "ראש עיריית נתניה התחתנה עם המנכ"ל שלה לשעבר" [Mayor of Netanya Married Her Former CEO]. ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Miriam Feirberg-Ikar, Netanya’s mayor since 1998, dies at 74
- ^ Kubovich, Yaniv (7 September 2016). "Police Arrest Israeli Mayor on Suspicion of Bribery, Fraud". Haaretz.
- ^ Yaron, Lee; Pulwer, Sharon (27 July 2016). "A Family Affair: How the Mayor's Relatives and Likud Activists Help Run Netanya". Haaretz.
- ^ "Prosecutors recommend criminal charges for newly reelected Netanya mayor". The Times of Israel. 5 November 2018. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ "Prosecutor: Not enough evidence to charge Netanya mayor in bribery case". The Times of Israel. 23 June 2019. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ^ Revital Hovel, Corruption Case Against Netanya Mayor Closed Due to Lack of Evidence, Haaretz (June 23, 2019).