From National Priority to Inclusive Regionality: Rethinking Economic Development in the 'Tkuma' Region
Keywords:
Regional Development, Inclusive Development, Development Policy, Economic Regions, Governance, Spatial Policy, Decentralization
Abstract
This study argues that government centralization is reflected in the "Tkuma" (Revival) administration's strategic plan for developing the Gaza Envelope region. The plan illustrates a zero-sum dynamic between the central government and regional interests in economic development. As a result, regional interests are missing and not seen, as reflected in regional economic indicators. The first aspect of the case study is recognizing the region as the "Gaza Envelope" based on the criteria of the "national priority" resolution, defining it as an area within 7 km of the border fence with Gaza, while failing to acknowledge the region’s borders based on commuting patterns and economic centers. The second aspect is the government’s focus on investment in agriculture, which aligns with national priorities but misses the larger complex regional opportunities (and challenges). While there is no doubt about the importance of the aspects promoted in the plan, it lacks a focus on the impact on economic growth and overlooks economic sectors that engage a larger portion of the local population. The study offers initial directions of thought on the region’s boundaries and economic structure.
References
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Friedmann, J. (1967) Regional planning and nation-building: An agenda for international research. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 16(1), 119-129.
Isard, W. (1966) Methods of Regional Analysis. Рипол Классик.
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Lerer, M. (2023) Population evacuation plans – Part B: Since the outbreak of the Swords of Iron War. The Knesset, Research and Information Center. https://fs.knesset.gov.il/25/Committees/25_cs_mmm_3558908.pdf (In Hebrew)
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Prime Minister's Office (2023) Establishment of an Administration for the Rehabilitation and Development of the 'Tkuma' Region. https://www.gov.il/he/pages/dec980-2023 (In Hebrew)
Storper, M., Kemeny, T., Makarem, N. P., & Osman, T. (2015) The Rise and Fall of Urban Economies: Lessons from San Francisco and Los Angeles (1st ed.). Stanford University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvqsdtdq
Swirski, S., & Bernstein, D. (1993) Who worked at what, for whom, and for what reward? The economic development of Israel and the formation of ethnic division of labor. In A. Ram (Ed.), Israeli society: Critical aspects (pp. 120–147). Tel Aviv: Brirot Publishing. (In Hebrew)
Tkuma Administration, Prime Minister's Office (2024) The Strategic Plan for the Rehabilitation, Renewal, and Development of the 'Tkuma' Region. https://govextra.gov.il/media/fqafxngh/... (In Hebrew)
Van Dijk, J., Folmer, H., & Oosterhaven, J. (2019) Regional policy: Rationale, foundations and measurement of effects. In Capello, R. and Nijkamp, P. (Eds.) Handbook of Regional Growth and Development Theories (pp. 550-572). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Putnam, R. D. (2000) Bowling alone: America’s Declining Social Capital. New York: Palgrave Macmillan US.
Zhang, L. Y. (2015) Managing the City Economy: Challenges and Strategies in Developing Countries. London: Routledge
Abramzon Brosh, D., Erlich, H., Asaf-Shapira, Y., Yaniv, O. & Gra, H. (in preparation) Metropolitan areas in Israel: A study of metropolitan area development in Israel Joint Elka (In Hebrew).
Central Bureau of Statistics (2022a) Labor Force Survey Jerusalem. (In Hebrew). https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/publications/pages/2024/%D7%A1%D7%A7%D7%A8-%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%97-%D7%90%D7%93%D7%9D-2022.aspx
Central Bureau of Statistics (2022b) Table 1: Local authorities in ascending order of peripherality index 2020. (In Hebrew) https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/mediarelease/doclib/2022/420/24_22_420t1.xlsx
Central Bureau of Statistics (2022c) Peripherality index of localities and local authorities, 2020. (In Hebrew) https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/mediarelease/DocLib/2022/420/24_22_420b.pdf
Central Bureau of Statistics (2023) Employee Jobs, Wages and Average Wages Per Employee Job. (In Hebrew)
Central Bureau of Statistics (2021) Local Authorities in Israel, 2021. (In Hebrew) Central Bureau of Statistics.
Cohen, N., & Aharon Gutman, M. (2017) Private Property, Public Responsibility? "Pri Galil" as a Case Study. In A. Golan & R. Donyets-Kedar (Eds.), Ir-Taagid, Taagid Ba-Ir (pp. 53–83). Resling. (In Hebrew)
Daniels, J., Douglas, D. J., Vodden, K., & Markey, S. (2019) What is new regionalism? In Vodden, K. , Douglas, D., Markey, S., Minnes, S., Reimer, B. (Eds) The Theory, Practice and Potential of Regional Development (pp. 30-55). London: Routledge.
DataGov. (2022) Information on Nationwide Passenger Movements Based on Mobile Phone Data, 2018-19 https://data.gov.il/dataset/tripscelular_1819 (In Hebrew).
Florida, R., Mellander, C., & Stolarick, K. (2008) Inside the black box of regional development—human capital, the creative class and tolerance. Journal of Economic Geography, 8(5), 615-649.
Friedmann, J. (1967) Regional planning and nation-building: An agenda for international research. Economic Development and Cultural Change, 16(1), 119-129.
Isard, W. (1966) Methods of Regional Analysis. Рипол Классик.
Krugman, P. R. (1997) Development, Geography, and Economic Theory (Vol. 6). MIT Press.
Lerer, M. (2023) Population evacuation plans – Part B: Since the outbreak of the Swords of Iron War. The Knesset, Research and Information Center. https://fs.knesset.gov.il/25/Committees/25_cs_mmm_3558908.pdf (In Hebrew)
Mark, F., Herbertson, M., Pop, M., Morais, M. B. & Lee, N. (2023). Level best? The levelling up agenda and UK regional inequality. Regional Studies, 57(11), 2339-2352. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2022.2159356
National Insurance. (2024). Statistics by Localities: Sderot. https://www.btl.gov.il/mediniyut/situation/statistics/btlstatistics.aspx?type=1&id=1031 (In Hebrew)
Navon, G., & Frish, R. (2008) The effect of Israel’s Encouragement of Capital Investments Law on productivity, employment, and investment: An empirical analysis of micro data. Discussion Paper No. 12/2008. Bank of Israel.
OECD (2012) Redefining “Urban”: A New Way to Measure Metropolitan Areas, OECD Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264174108-en
Pike, A., Rodríguez-Pose, A., & Tomaney, J. (2017) Local and Regional Development. Routledge.
Porter, M. E. (1996) Competitive advantage, agglomeration economies, and regional policy. International Regional Science Review, 19(1-2), 85-90.
Prime Minister's Office (1992) Recommendations of the Directors General Committee on National Priority Areas – Reclassification of Development Towns and Areas. Directors General Committee, Prime Minister's Office. (In Hebrew)
Prime Minister's Office (1993) National Priority Areas – Reclassification of Development Towns and Areas – Continuation of the Discussion. Government Decision No. 721 dated 24.01.1993 (In Hebrew).
Prime Minister's Office (1994) Future Zones: Recommendations of the Interministerial Team on an Updated and Enhanced Benefits Package for National Priority Areas. The Administration for National Projects, Prime Minister's Office. (In Hebrew)
Prime Minister's Office (2013) Adoption of the Recommendations of the Interministerial Team for Updating the National Plan for the Development of the Negev. https://www.gov.il/he/departments/policies/2013_des546a (In Hebrew)
Prime Minister's Office (2017) Economic Development of the Northern District and Complementary Measures for the City of Haifa. https://www.gov.il/he/departments/policies/2017_dec2262 (In Hebrew)
Prime Minister's Office (2023) Establishment of an Administration for the Rehabilitation and Development of the 'Tkuma' Region. https://www.gov.il/he/pages/dec980-2023 (In Hebrew)
Storper, M., Kemeny, T., Makarem, N. P., & Osman, T. (2015) The Rise and Fall of Urban Economies: Lessons from San Francisco and Los Angeles (1st ed.). Stanford University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvqsdtdq
Swirski, S., & Bernstein, D. (1993) Who worked at what, for whom, and for what reward? The economic development of Israel and the formation of ethnic division of labor. In A. Ram (Ed.), Israeli society: Critical aspects (pp. 120–147). Tel Aviv: Brirot Publishing. (In Hebrew)
Tkuma Administration, Prime Minister's Office (2024) The Strategic Plan for the Rehabilitation, Renewal, and Development of the 'Tkuma' Region. https://govextra.gov.il/media/fqafxngh/... (In Hebrew)
Van Dijk, J., Folmer, H., & Oosterhaven, J. (2019) Regional policy: Rationale, foundations and measurement of effects. In Capello, R. and Nijkamp, P. (Eds.) Handbook of Regional Growth and Development Theories (pp. 550-572). Edward Elgar Publishing.
Putnam, R. D. (2000) Bowling alone: America’s Declining Social Capital. New York: Palgrave Macmillan US.
Zhang, L. Y. (2015) Managing the City Economy: Challenges and Strategies in Developing Countries. London: Routledge
Published
2025-05-08
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