Thorough Surveillance: The Genesis of Israeli Policies of Population Management, Surveillance and Political Control Towards the Palestinian Minority

Israel's ability to maintain its control over a large indigenous Palestinian population, both citizens and subjects who have been living under occupation into the twenty-first century, well after the demise of colonialism, represents a challenge for scholars of surveillance and colonialism. While this success might be attributed to multiple factors, one key element is the nature of the policies of population management, surveillance and political control it has employed. This book traces the genesis of these policies, their evolution and implementation in the first two decades of Israel's existence along with the various aspects of the policy plans and principles which were fashioned to manage the Palestinians in all areas of their lives. Moreover, these plans identified the bureaucratic structures and the legal edifice through which they were governed. The book details how these policies and principles were fashioned and the mindset of those who composed them: their outlooks, calculations and reasoning. Moreover, it explores the ways in which they morally justified their decisions and reflected on the consequences of their judgements. It also deals with the ways in which these policies were implemented and thus affected the everyday lives of the Palestinians.