ABSTRACT

The very notion of ' HaMiph'al HaZioni' enfolds the highly institutionalized, explicitly synthetic and actively constructive nature of the process of land appropriation and nationbuilding by the Jews in the twentieth century. In fact, the modern metropolitan city was consistently portrayed in both literary utopias and direct propaganda as an anathema to the Zionist concept of land redemption; a parasitic growth threatening to undermine the fundamental values of the re-emerging Hebrew civilization. Thus, revolutionary objectives, totally controlled planning and a well-coordinated course of action had characterized the Zionist Enterprise from its very outset. The plan was divided into five categories: agriculture, industry, transportation, forestry and parks, new towns. Agricultural settlement was perceived as the major factor for developing and ensuring economic independence. The problem: since the immigrants' predispositions regarding the choice of their place of residence were known in advance and considered by the authorities a threat to the Zionist settlement policy.