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Teaching and Research on Latin America in Israel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2022

Haim Avni  and
Yoram Shapira
Haim Avni
Affiliation:
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem∗
Yoram Shapira
Affiliation:
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem∗
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Academic teaching and research on subjects related to Latin America developed in Israel not as the result of multi-faceted and premeditated planning but as a consequence of general historical events as well as of local and partial initiatives. In order to understand the present position of research and teaching activities on these subjects, it is indispensable to bear in mind the major developments which occurred in Israel in two main areas: (a) the emergence of academic life and institutions during Israel's 25 years of exstence; (b) the development of the diplomatic relations and economic and technological ties between the State of Israel and Latin American countries. Research and academic teaching evolved directly from these two determining factors.

Type
Topical Review
Information
Latin American Research Review , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , Fall 1974 , pp. 39 - 51
Copyright
Copyright © 1974 by the University of Texas Press

Footnotes

∗

This report is based on a comprehensive survey undertaken by the authors on behalf of the Harry S. Truman Research Institute, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

References

Notes

1. The Central Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Abstract of Israel 2973, No. 24, pp. 126, 644. (Jerusalem, Sept. 1973)

2. Among them, scholars Max Aub, Francisco López Cámara, and Rosario Castellanos, Mexican writer and her country's Ambassador to Israel.

3. Picard, Leo, “La Structure du Nord-Ouest de l'Argentine.” Bulletin de la Societe Geologique de France, 1949.

4. In Natural Sciences only three studies, on groundwater research, have been carried out, all of them on Governmental Agencies' orders. Similar studies in Agriculture will be referred to below. The data are based on the following sources: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, A List of Publications in Humanities, Law, Science, and Agriculture, 1946–32, by Members of the Academic Staff (Jerusalem, 1953); The Hebrew University, Research Reports for 1963–64, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1969–70; Bar-Ilan University, Publications by Faculty Members, 1939–64, Select Bibliography (Ramat Gan, 1965): Academic Research 1969 and Academic Research 1974. Complementary information has been accumulated from questionnaires, filled by the Institutions for the purpose of the authors' survey.

5. For a detailed account of Israel-Latin American relations during this initial stage, see Edward B. Glick, Latin America and the Palestine Problem (New York, 1958).

6. See, for instance, Alfonso Francisco Ramírez, Un viaje a Israel (México, 1951).

7. For reference to the Eichmann affair as influencing Israel's policy toward Latin America, see Nathanial Lorch, “Israel-Latin America Relations, 1971” (Hebrew) in Gesher, year 17, No. 68–69, 3–4, p. 98. Israel, Dec. 1971.

8. This new type of technical cooperation is best examplified by the Agreement for Scientific Cooperation signed between Israel and Mexico's National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) in June 1972.

9. División de Cooperación Internacional, Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, América Latina e Israel, Sumario de los Programas de Cooperación Internacional en las Américas, pp. 52–53, Jerusalem, 1971.

10. Mendel K. and Bar-Lev M., The Center for International Agricultural Cooperation, Israel's Research Programmes in Joint Rural Development Projects, 1969–70 (Jerusalem, 1970).

11. See table in: Settlement Study Centre, Post Graduate Course in Comprehensive Regional Development Planning, June 7, 1973–April 4, 1974, p. 7 (Rehovot, Israel).

12. They were carried out for the Center by Gideon Naor and Shaul Regev and focused, primarily, on aspects of agricultural development and rural settlement. The first and second reports were published by the Center in October and December, 1970, and dealt with the Petrolandia project in Brazil's Nordeste, and the El Sisal project in the Dominican Republic. The third report, dealing with Israeli assistance projects in Venezuela, was issued in December, 1971.

13. At the end of 1972, the non-military functions of the veteran Department for Cooperation and Foreign Liaison of the Ministry of Defense, were transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

14. Israel's experience with the Nahal units, where military training is combined with settlement and agricultural development, aroused early and keen interest as a pattern for developing “civic action” by Latin American armed forces.

15. This is the special “overseas” branch of the Tahal Water Planning for Israel Limited.

16. Information pamphlet entitled Tahal Consulting Engineers Limited (no date, no publisher), p. 8.

17. In the period reviewed, Tahal was making studies for 12 Latin American nations: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The largest number of planning studies were made for Mexico (11), Brazil (10), and Colombia (7). A typical planning study of the first group is “Water Supply and Sewerage to the City of Monterrey, N.L., Mexico.” See reference in Tahal Consulting Engineers Ltd. Water Supply and Sewerage Projects, 1962–1972, p. 3 (Tel-Aviv, Israel) (no date). Representative of the second group is the study entitled “Groundwater Resources Investigation in the Azúa Valley, Dominican Republic.” See reference in Tahal Consulting Engineers Ltd., Projects in Water Resources Development, 1962–1972, p. 4 (Tel-Aviv, no date). The third category includes such studies as “Agricultural Development of the Sudoeste Region, Brazil.” See reference in Tahal Consulting Engineers, Ltd., Qualifications: Agricultural Development Irrigation and Drainage, p. 6 (Tel-Aviv, no date).

18. “Life” Industrial Planning and Engineering Company, specializing in planning and industrial design services for oil refineries, chemical, and petrochemical plants, has been active in Latin America since 1965. It has been making techno-economic surveys, feasibility studies, and industrial plans for clients in Colombia (1965), Venezuela (1968, 1971, 1973), and Mexico (1969–70). Isrex-Israel General Company started operating in Latin America in 1969. Its ventures include promotion of sales of industrial equipment and know-how. This involved the preparation of several economic feasibility studies and industrial plans for yucca exploitation in Honduras (1972), vegetable oil and citrus packing plants for Ecuador (1973), and joint electronic industries in Brazil and Argentina (1973). Sherutei Handassa Be-Israel (Engineering Services of Israel Ltd.) prepared three agricultural and rural development projects for Venezula in 1971–73, conducted market research for exporting agricultural product of Brazil's Nordeste (1971–72), made a feasibility study for meat production and processing in Venezuela (1973), and prepared a master plan for water supply and sewerage for urban centers in Guiana (started in 1973). Industries Development Corporation (IDC) prepared several detailed economic studies concerning a wide range of exporting industries in Venezuela (1969–73), including a three-volume economic survey of export projects for Venezuelan industry that was given public circulation: Evaluación de la posición exportadora de la Industria Venezolana, 1972. This is in addition to planning and market research operations in other Latin American countries. In the area of Irrigation and Agricultural Development Planning, the SEKER International Consultants, in cooperation with the Yalon-Balasha Consulting Engineers, have been doing, in 1971–73, a feasibilty study and then a detailed design for an irrigated agriculture project (Pirapora) in Brazil, ordered by the Brazilian Ministry of Interior. The study has been published in Brazil. Another commercial concern, the Israeli Institute for Transport Planning and Research, has been involved since 1973 in transport planning work ordered by the Economic Development Ministry of Guiana.