The Emergence of Regionalism in a Centralized System: The Case of Israel

Abstract

In Israel, government and polities reflect a highly centralized system of operation, This situation, in combination with existing ethnic conflicts between European and Oriental Jews, has contributed to an increased consciousness of the asymmetry of core-periphery relations, thus precipitating a growth in political regionalism, The emergence of regionalism is viewed as a form of protest and rebellion within Israeli society. In this study, regional development policies in Israel arc examined, and a new approach to such activity is proposed—a synthesis between the centralized top-down system and the complementary system of participation from below. It is argued that bottom-up and territorially integrated policies can case the regional crisis in Israel.