ABSTRACT
Both the internal and external organisation of moshav rural settlements have been major obstacles to their industrialisation process. Internally, the structure is designed to serve the family farm, the basic agricultural economic unit, which is too small for industrial activities. Externally, the moshav organisations are complex, both functionally and spatially. Ideological and political organisations on national and regional levels distort optimal economic-industrial decision-making since they are not always consistent with the political interests of the moshavim. As a result of the complexity of these organisations, the experience of rural industrialisation in the moshav has been disappointing in comparison with the kibbutz. In order to gain a better understanding of the nature and characteristics of the moshav industry, a short introduction is provided here to the history, ideology and organisation principles of the moshav.
