Power Disparities in the Planning of a Mixed Region: Arabs and Jews in the Galilee, Israel

Abstract

This paper examines changes over time in Arab-Jewish power relations in the land use planning of Israel's Galilee region. A theoretical framework is developed, linking power disparities to levels of social and political strife. Following the findings of recent research on policies towards the Arabs in Israel, it is hypothesised that Arab-Jewish power disparities have narrowed since the mid 1970s. This hypothesis is tested against the case of land use planning in the Galilee between 1975 and 1988. Three principal aspects of the issue are examined: the power structure of the planning system; participation in the formulation of land use plans; and Arab and Jewish efficacy in the planning process. The findings do not support the hypothesis. Power relations have narrowed in some areas of the planning system during the research period, but in other areas disparities have widened with the introduction of new inequalities. Overall, a status-quo has been maintained, leaving the Arabs largely outside the policy-making process in a region where they form a clear majority.