Zionism preferred villages and not cities, and the result is still felt today

Prof. Rachel Alterman talks about Zionism, the history of settlement in Israel and the cities that have been established.

Most Israelis are urbanites, but the cities - although they have always led the country economically, culturally and politically - have always held second place from the Zionist point of view. The national priorities, passion and ideology were elsewhere: land, farming, agriculture, moshav, kibbutz and rural life were considered the embodiment of Zionist vision and fulfillment.  The development of the Israeli cities was deeply influenced by these priorities.