The role of gush Emunim and the Yishuv Kehillati in the west bank 1974 - 1980

This thesis constitutes the first comprehensive analysis of the Gush Emunim movement and their settlements in the West Bank. It is concerned with the specific evolution of this new politico/religious settlement movement and discusses their settlement patterns, which are seen to be greatly influenced by ideological factors. The particular settlement type, within which the majority of the Gush Emunim settlers live, is shown to be of major significance in that it represents a totally new form of rural settlement in Israel. It is the type of settlement, as opposed to the political location of these settlements, which may have more meaning for future settlement policies. The study firstly analyses the evolution of the Gush Emunim movement, their beliefs, their settlement ideology and policy implementation. There follows a study of the development of a new settlement type - the Yishuv Kehillati (Community Village). These two developments are drawn together in an examination of two specific case studies. Finally, conclusions are drawn as to the value of this settlement activity, as it relates to Israeli society and the future of the West Bank, bearing in mind the Israeli general elections to be held in July 1981.