Socialist Workers Party (Mandatory Palestine)

The Socialist Workers Party (Mandatory Palestine), also known as the Histadrut Hatzionit Ha’Sozialistit Po’alei Eretz Yisrael (roughly translated as the Zionist Socialist Organization of Workers of Palestine), was a relatively small Marxist-Zionist political party active in Mandatory Palestine in the 1920s. It emerged from a split within the Poale Zion movement, specifically from its left wing.

The party distinguished itself from other Zionist socialist groups primarily through its adherence to orthodox Marxist principles. Unlike the mainstream Poale Zion, which emphasized practical settlement and labor within the existing Zionist framework, the Socialist Workers Party advocated for a more revolutionary approach. They envisioned a socialist transformation of Palestine achieved through class struggle and the eventual overthrow of the capitalist system.

Key tenets of their ideology included:

• Emphasis on Class Struggle: The party prioritized the class struggle between workers and capitalists as the primary engine of historical change in Palestine, viewing the Zionist project within this broader Marxist framework.
• Internationalism: They maintained a strong internationalist perspective, linking the struggle of Palestinian workers to the global proletarian revolution.
• Criticism of Zionist Leadership: The Socialist Workers Party frequently criticized the mainstream Zionist leadership for its perceived collaboration with British imperialism and its focus on national rather than class interests.
• Arab-Jewish Unity (in principle): While facing practical difficulties, the party generally advocated for unity between Jewish and Arab workers based on shared class interests and the common struggle against exploitation, albeit within a framework prioritizing Jewish labor.

Despite its ideological distinctiveness, the Socialist Workers Party remained a marginal force in Palestinian politics. Its membership was small, and its influence on the broader Zionist movement was limited. Internal divisions and the challenges of organizing across national and ethnic lines further hampered its growth. The party eventually faded into obscurity, its members either joining other socialist groups or abandoning political activism altogether. Its historical significance lies primarily in its articulation of a radical Marxist critique of Zionism from within the Zionist movement itself.