The metropolitanization of Israel's settlement policy: The colonization of the West Bank as a strategy of spatial restructuring

Israel's West Bank settlements are a central point of contention in the dynamics Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Overall, however, their rapid proliferation has been generally understood through lens an ideologically centered approach that highlights, specifically, centrality national religious settlers' movement. Against this background, article focuses on overlooked reality large, state-sponsored suburban – and particular role Israeli Ministry Housing establishment between mid-1970s early 1990s. Building contributions field political economy geography, we conceive actions occupied as result broader strategy spatial restructuring. By considering both economic imperatives underlying strategy, our analysis offers more comprehensive assessment factors behind settlement policy. Drawing broad range empirical sources, from archival material to in-depth interviews with planners, argue largely outcome process metropolitanization i.e. urban development main metropolitan centers adoption new, post-Keynesian policy paradigm based market-oriented development. This constituted major factor for settlements' growth and, ultimately, emergence naturalization new territorial configuration area Israel/Palestine.