The experience of public participation in Israel: Obstacles and opportunities

This paper outlines opportunities and obstacles to participation and involvement in public decision-making arenas in Israel. It focuses on the opportunities that can or do exist for people to participate and on the obstacles that confront individuals and communities who wish to get involved in public life. The paper also explains the Israeli institutional context - both national and local - within which these issues are embedded. The last part of the paper suggests directions for making the planning institutions in Israel more sensitive to and knowledgeable about the social implications of the plans they develop.