Regional Policy and Minority Attitudes in Israel

Abstract

In this paper a relatively underresearched aspect of Israel's planning policies in the Galilee region is examined: The attitudes of the local Arab population towards these policies. Israel's policies are initially reviewed, with particular attention to their spatial, economic, and procedural elements. Then a report is given on an attitudinal survey conducted in 1990 among 137 Arab councillors in the Upper Galilee region. Examination of Arab attitudes towards each of the three policy elements mentioned above, shows that these attitudes are clearly influenced by the changing milieu in which the Arabs live, where Israel's policies and their spatial consequences play a key role. Further statistical analysis shows that Arab attitudes are most significantly associated with the following consequences of Israel's policies in the region: The extent of land loss, proximity to new Jewish settlements, and exposure to a high level of combined control measures exercised by Israeli authorities. Overall, the survey shows that Arab attitudes in the Galilee are characterised by parallel strands of frustration (due mainly to a sense of deprivation), dissatisfaction, and determination, although a measure of pragmatism is also evident. The emotional and factual bases of Arab attitudes point to a likelihood of increasing levels of conflict between Galilee Arabs and Israeli authorities, if future policies fail to address interethnic gaps in the region.