Rishon LeZion

Rishon LeZion is a city in Israel, located along the central Israeli coastal plain about eight kilometres (5 miles) south of Tel Aviv. As of 2024, it is the fifth-largest city in Israel, with a population of 259,275 people.

The city was founded in 1882 by Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire. These immigrants were part of the First Aliyah, and Rishon LeZion was the first settlement established by the New Yishuv in Israel. It was also the second Jewish farm settlement created in Ottoman Syria during the 19th century, after Petah Tikva.

Today, Rishon LeZion is a member of Forum 15, a group of cities in Israel that manage their own finances without relying on national grants for balance or development.

Etymology

The name Rishon LeZion comes from a verse in the Tanakh, an important book of stories and teachings. The verse says, "First to Zion are they, and I shall give herald to Jerusalem." In Hebrew, this verse is written as רִאשׁוֹן לְצִיּוֹן הִנֵּה הִנָּם וְלִירוּשָׁלִַם מְבַשֵּׂר אֶתֵּן. The city's name means "First to Zion." This verse is found in the book of Isaiah.

History

Ottoman period (1882–1900)

Rishon LeZion was founded on July 31, 1882, by ten pioneers from Ukraine who were eager to build a new home. They bought land near what is now Tel Aviv. At first, they faced many challenges, like sandy soil and no water. Help came from Baron Rothschild, who sent experts to find water and build wells.

The town grew slowly. In 1883, they found water in wells, which was a big celebration. Over the years, they built schools, farms, and even a winery. By 1900, the town had over 500 people.

Village council and JCA administration (1900–1922)

In 1900, the town’s management changed to a local council. In 1907, David Ben-Gurion, who later became Israel’s first prime minister, worked there for a short time.

During World War I, the town saw soldiers passing through, and local people helped care for the wounded. Women in the town were given the right to vote in 1919, and a woman was elected as chair of the town council that same year.

British Mandate

Under British rule, Rishon LeZion grew. By 1931, the town had over 2,500 people. Maps from this time show the town’s location and growth.

State of Israel

Rishon LeZion became a city in 1950, with around 18,000 people. It kept growing over the years. In 2006, more than 222,000 people lived there. Plans were made to build new homes and businesses.

In June 2025, a missile struck the city, harming many people. In March 2026, more attacks caused damage, but thankfully, the daycare was empty at the time. The president visited the affected areas afterward.

Demographics

In 1922, there were 1,373 Jewish people and 23 Muslim people living in Rishon LeZion.

Today, as of December 2024, Rishon LeZion has 259,275 residents, according to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Israel and the third-youngest city, after Jerusalem and Bnei Brak. About 31.1% of the people are children and teenagers, and 61.4% are aged 40 or under. Many new residents have come from English-speaking countries. By 2030, the city is expected to have around 270,000 people. The population grows by about 5% each year. Most of the people in Rishon LeZion are Jews.

Economy

Rishon LeZion's main industries include wine, construction, services, and commerce. Factories and workshops are in the old industrial zone, which is now also a popular spot for pubs, dance clubs, and restaurants. The city has two main industrial areas: one in the north and another in the west.

The city has three big malls: Rothschild Center in the old downtown, Gold Mall in the New West district, and the new Azrieli Rishonim. Companies like Coca-Cola, Gazit-Globe, Volvo, and Fiat plan to open in the Maayan Sorek area. Rishon LeZion is working on becoming fully independent for water use, with plans to build a desalination plant. The city already operates a large recycling plant, and a major desalination plant began running at full capacity in January 2026.

Local government

Mayors

Rishon LeZion has had many mayors over the years. Some of the mayors include Elyakum Ostashinski from 1950 to 1951, Aryeh Sheftel in 1951, Moshe Gavin from 1952 to 1955, and Gershon Man Mankov in 1955. Later mayors include Hana Levin from 1955 to 1960, Meir Nitzan from 1983 to 2008, Dov Tzur from 2008 to 2018, and Raz Kinstlich who has been mayor since 2018.

Education and culture

Rishon LeZion has twenty-three elementary schools, nine middle schools, and twelve high schools. The city’s College of Management has many students, and most students finish their studies with good results.

The city enjoys many cultural activities. It holds a yearly wine festival and has a park where famous musicians have performed. Rishon LeZion also has a zoo, an amusement park called Superland, and a nice beach area. A special hall called Heychal HaTarbut offers classical concerts, theatre shows, and other events. The local symphony orchestra has traveled to music festivals around the world.

Landmarks

Rishon LeZion has many special places to see, like a history museum and the Carmel Winery. There is also a memorial for soldiers and a big synagogue. One famous spot is called "Open Doors," a tall sculpture remembering people who helped save Jews during a very hard time long ago.

The city also has a special walkway for people who won important prizes for their work. This walkway has markers for each winner, showing their name, country, and the prize they received.

Geography

Rishon LeZion is found on the Israeli Mediterranean Coastal Plain and the northern Shephelah. Most of the city's rain, about 800 mm (31 in), falls between October and March.

Neighborhoods

Rishon LeZion is divided into four main areas: the old city, the eastern housing projects, the northern industrial zone, and Western Rishon LeZion. There is also an industrial area on the city's southern edge, close to Gan Sorek.

Old city

The old city of Rishon includes the original neighborhoods, with some buildings dating back to when the city was founded in 1881. This area is located in the center of the city, between Herzl and Jabotinsky Streets. It includes neighborhoods like Nahalat Yehuda, Neve Hillel, Bnot Hayil, Abramovich, Katzenelson, Remez, and Rishonim.

Shikunei HaMizrah

The Eastern Housing Projects is an area where the city quickly expanded to the east. It is mainly made up of housing projects and stopped growing when it reached the fences of the Tzrifin military base. If the base is sold to private developers in the future, this area may grow with new housing. Other smaller neighborhoods here include Revivim, Kidmat Rishon, Ne'urim, Rambam, Neve Hadarim, HaShomer, Kfar Arye, Mishor HaNof, and Kiryat Simha.

Old industrial zone

The industrial zones in Rishon LeZion are called Mabat. The northern zone is the oldest industrial area, which used to have many light industries and glass factories. Today, it is known for its lively nightlife.

West Rishon

West Rishon LeZion is made up of newer neighborhoods built in the 1980s and 1990s. This area has higher land value because it is closer to the Mediterranean Sea. It includes everything west of Tzahal Road, with new industrial areas and residential neighborhoods like Neve Eliyahu, Neot Shikma, Neve Dekalim, Neve Hof, Neve Yam, Kiryat Rishon, Kiryat Cramim, Kiryat Ganim, Neot Ashalim, and Kiryat Hatanei Pras Nobel.

Sports

Rishon LeZion is well-known for its strong teams in handball and chess. In handball, two top teams, Hapoel Rishon LeZion and Maccabi Rishon LeZion, have achieved great success. Hapoel has won many championships, and the Amit Amal high school handball team has even won world championships.

The city is also famous for its chess club, founded in 1939, which is one of the best in Israel. Famous players, including world champion Garry Kasparov, have been part of this club.

Rishon LeZion has a major football club, Hapoel Rishon LeZion, which has played in the top league and won important cups. The city also has a basketball team, Maccabi Rishon LeZion, that has been part of the top division and even won the league once. There is also a new stadium for athletics events.

Transportation

Rishon LeZion can be reached by road from several major highways. You can use bus, train, and share taxi to get around.

The Rishon LeZion HaRishonim Railway Station is found to the south of the city center. It connects directly to Tel Aviv, Lod, Bnei Brak, Petah Tikva, Rosh HaAyin, Hod HaSharon, and Kfar Saba. You can reach all stations of Israel Railways using the transfer stations at Tel Aviv and Lod.

The Rishon LeZion Moshe Dayan Railway Station is in the western part of the city. It sits on a new rail line going from Tel Aviv to Ashdod through Yavne. There are plans to connect this station to the HaRishonim station in the future.

The Green Line of the Tel Aviv Light Rail and the M1 Line of the Tel Aviv Metro are expected to pass through Rishon LeZion.

The bus companies that serve intercity lines in Rishon LeZion include Egged, Dan, Afikim, Metropoline, and Kavim. The city also has its own bus network run by Egged and Dan, with most lines going to Bat Yam, Holon, and Tel Aviv and Jaffa. Share taxis operated by Moniyot HaIr also help with travel.

Notable people

Rishon LeZion has been home to many talented people from different fields. Some well-known individuals from the city include Yaacov Agam, a famous sculptor, and Zohar Argov, a popular singer. Linoy Ashram made history as the first Israeli Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics, and Daria Atamanov and Eliza Banchuk are world champions in the same sport. Other notable figures include Tal Ben Haim, an international footballer, and Ram Bergman, a film producer. Shmuel Cohen composed the Israeli National Anthem, the Hatikvah. The city has also produced athletes like Artem Dolgopyat, an Olympic champion gymnast, and Peter Paltchik, an Olympic and European champion judoka, as well as many singers, actors, and politicians.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Israel

Rishon LeZion has friendly city links with many places around the world. Some of these friends are:

• Admiralteysky (Saint Petersburg), Russia
• Brașov, Romania
• Debrecen, Hungary
• Gondar, Ethiopia
• Kaunas, Lithuania
• Kharkiv, Ukraine
• Lublin, Poland
• Münster, Germany
• Nîmes, France (1986)
• Prešov, Slovakia (2008)
• Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
• Teramo, Italy (1988)
• Tianjin, China

During a difficult time called the Gulf War in 1991, the leader of Münster, Germany, visited Rishon LeZion to show support. He stayed with the mayor of Rishon LeZion during this time.