YIFTACHEL 0. (1996) The internal frontier: territorial control and ethnic relations in Israel, Reg. Studies 30, 493-508. In settler societies the development of frontier regions has played an important role in the complementary processes of nation building and state building. However, studies of frontier and regional development have paid little attention to the creation of 'internal frontier' regions, where large concentrations of ethnic minorities exist within established multiethnic states. The present study proposes a theoretical framework for the understanding of internal frontiers, drawing on the physical, social and cultural characteristics of frontier colonization and settlement in pre-and post-state periods. It further argues that state policies in such areas are marked by constant attempts to exert territorial control over minority populations. The paper then illustrates the above propositions, by analysing in detail Israel's policies and their impact on a typical Arab village in the Galilee -one of Israel's internal frontier regions. The analysis concentrates on the content, implementation and consequences of Israel's spatial policies. These policies have indeed been marked by a consistent attempt for territorial control over the Arabs in the village, as part ofan internal frontier environment. Consequently, Israel's policies have worked to erode the village's land resources, contain its residential development, encircle it with Jewish settlements and m a n i d a t e its administrative and Dlannine boundaries. The analysis has thus demonstrated the heavy toll exerted " by internal !?ontier policies on residents of a minority village. Frontier development Palestinian Arabs Ethnic conflict YIFTACHEL 0. (1966) La frontitre interne: le contrBle territorial et les rapports ethniques en Israel, Reg. Studies 30, 493-508. Dans des socittts compostes de colonisateurs le dtveloppement des rtgions fkontalitres a jout un rBle important des les processus compltmentaires, i savoir la construction des nations et des ttats. Toujours est-il que des etudes du developpement frontaher et rtgional n'ont gutre port6 sur I'ttablissement des regions de 'frontitres internes', oh de fortes concentrations de minoritts ethniques existent au sein des ttats multiethniques bien ttablis. LaprCsente ttude propose une base thtorique qui permet une comprthension des frontitres internes, puisant dans les caracttristiques physiques, sociales et culturelles de la colonisation frontalitre au cours des pCriodes avant et aprts la construction des ttats. En outre, on soutient que les politiques d'etat dans de tels domaines sont marqutes par des tentatives continuelles vistes i exercer du contrde territorial sur les populations minoritaires.