Vol. 29, No. 1, Spring/Summer 1991 - "Geography of Israel"
THE ISRAELI TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM: SERVING A SMALL ISLAND STATE
(pp. 1 – 16)
Ilan Salomon
Department of Geography
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Israel
Abstract
Economic, social and political activities in a country cannot be carried out without the elementary facilities for spatial interactions, namely transportation and telecommunications systems. These are comprised of infrastructure and services which evolve over time as a consequence of technological innovations, economic conditions, spatial policies and unique contextual conditions. This paper describes the Israeli transportation system by focusing on its general characteristics. While sharing many of the features of other modern transportation systems, some of its characteristics are probably outcomes of the specific conditions from which it has arisen. The abrupt change to an island state, as Israel became independent, has changed the focus of infrastructure development. The government policy towards population dispersal is another example. The paper provides some general description of the system and some hypotheses about the implications of the size and unique characteristics of Israel's situation.
INTERNAL MIGRATION WITHIN A CORE-PERIPHERY STRUCTURE: THE ISRAELI CASE
(pp. 17 – 28)
Gabriel Lipshitz
Department of Geography
Bar-Ilan University
Ramat-Gan, Israel
Abstract
The present study examines internal migration in Israel, within a core periphery spatial structure, between the years 1961 and 1987. This spatial structure actually reflects the spatial variance in level of development in Israel. After a review of the relevant literature, and after presenting the graduated core periphery in Israel, the paper turns to an examination of the balance of migration over the period under study, utilizing graphic analysis, and an examination of a matrix of origin and destination according to quantity of migrants and according to their socio-economic characteristics. The principal conclusion is that over a period of time the balance of migration in the core regions becomes less positive, while in the periphery it becomes less negative. However, the results also show that the population leaving the core regions (in particular the "stronger" elements) selects as its destination the peripheral regions of the major core, while those migrating from the national periphery select the core regions as their destination.
ARAB AND JEWISH SETTLEMENT PROCESSES IN WEST SAMARIA
(pp. 29 – 37)
David Grossman
Department of Geography
Bar-Ilan University
Ramat-Gan, Israel
Abstract
Renewed Arab settlement of Samaria began about a century ago, motivated by a desire to obtain subsistence needs. Recently, residential considerations and accessibility to employment have become more important to Arab populations. In contrast, Jewish colonization of Samaria, initiated only after 1975, was originally motivated by ideological considerations but is now dominated by the desire to acquire low cost housing in areas accessible to Israel's urban core. Thus Arab and Jewish settlement motives in Samaria, although originally divergent, now converge.
USE OF THE INTEGRATIVE METHODOLOGY IN STUDIES OF THE ISRAELI-ARAB POPULATION
(pp. 38 – 52)
Arnon Soffer
Department of Geography
Haifa University
Haifa, Israel
Abstract
After thirty years of the repression of regional and integrative approaches in the discipline of Geography a turning point occurred in the mid-seventies. Many researchers discovered that answers to a long list of complicated questions dealing with our earth could be better addressed by these approaches than by the various systematic ones. This article, dealing with the Israeli Arabs, uses an integrative approach. Many studies on Arab folklore, society, economy, religion, language and literature, as well as geographical research on Arab villages, have been carried out over the years. They remain, however, mostly sterile, in the Ivory Tower of the academic world, and not put into practical use. One reason for this is the very narrow perspective of each topic. Some integrative studies by Israeli geographers on Arabs in the Galilee have been conducted and published in the last few years. The success of these integrative works that this article will analyze in detail may be measured by the academic feedback, not only from geographers, but also from the attention of the international and local media. Much more important are the positive reactions of top-level political decision-makers and the implementation of the studies' conclusions in the field.
GEOGRAPHICAL EXPRESSIONS OF PEACE CONCEPTS IN ISRAEL
(pp. 53 – 74)
Yossi Ben-Artzi
Department of Eretz-Israel Studies
Haifa University
Haifa, Israel
Abstract
Shaping the future borders of Israel becomes a most central issue in every political and public debate within Israel and between Israel and other countries. However, a great deal of discussion is dedicated to political, moral, legal and military aspects of the issue, and very little is related to the geographical aspect. Only a few have tried to express their ideas in detailed geographical terms, and moreover, only a minority of these have done it by mapping out the schematic or specific issues. This fact is quite surprising, but nevertheless understandable. Surprising because most of the arguments raised are based on geographical facts and aspects like territory, topography, resources, demography, etc. Understandable, because none of the participants is ready to expose the real aims or to commit to any final position, before negotiations even start. It is worthwhile to point out that even research institutes, like the Jaffa Center for Strategic studies (1989) recently submitted a detailed research regarding this issue, without mapping the various alternatives of solving the conflict. A rather detailed work, from geographic point of view, had been done by Efrat (1982; 1988)--yet he dedicated most of his analysis only to the West Bank. Therefore, the aim of this article is to shed some light on the variety of current political concepts in Israel and apply them on a general and schematic map.