Israeli ‘Judaization’ policy in Galilee and its impact on local Arab urbanization

Abstract

In this case study, the Galilee region is examined within the context of territorial control. Since the region is characterized by a large concentration of a numerically dominant Arab population, state planning policy—which is motivated by Zionist ideology—has aimed at preventing the formation of an Arab ‘core area’ there. The policy of Judaization, implemented in various stages to create a new and alternative ‘Jewish core’ in mountainous Galilee, has significantly shaped the unique pattern of urbanization in the local Arab settlements. The failure of this state strategy to achieve a positive Jewish demographic balance and to break up the territorial continuity of Arab lands and settlements has served to strengthen the rootedness of the population in their villages and has acted as a retarding influence on rural-urban migration.