Illusion as a factor in determining policy in development of a port: the case of Haifa

The mayor and citizens of Haifa live under the illusion that their city port possesses geographical advantages over competitor-ports, an attitude which gives rise to great hopes for the city's prosperity, especially after the peace agreement with Egypt.

On the basis of this illusion, decisions are made that may have severe consequences for the development of the port and the city. The aim of this article is to demonstrate that the changes in the Middle East over the years have deprived Haifa of most of the geographical advantages it had, and so expose the illusion for what it is.