British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Supplement - Page 145

ACHDUT AVODA-POALEI ZI0N (Labour Unity-Workers of Zion). (p. 957)

(§ 34)

This party consists of an amalgamation (May, 1946) of a faction which seceded from the Mapui in 1944 and she Poalei Zion Smol, a world movement of urban workers of the Left Zionist Socialists which has a small representation in Palestine. Abroad, and especially in North America, this union of the two groups has, however, yet to be accomplished. The party differs from the Mapai mainly in two respects; it is more radical in internal affairs and more maximalist in matters of Zionist policy. Many of its supporters are to be found in the collective settlements of Hakibbutz Hameuchad organisation and the party occupies a strong position in the Ristadruth. Leading figures are Mr. I. Tabenkin , Mr. A. Zisling and Mr. J. Zerubavel. At the Palestine elections to the 22nd Zionist Congress the party polled 24,M9 votes, or 12% of the total. It identified itself with the policy laid down by the Zionist Congress. It opposed the re-election of Dr. Chaim Weizman as President of the Zionist Organisation, strongly rejects The partitioning of Palestine and favours non-cooperation with Government. The principal organ of the party is the weekly "Le Achdnt Avoda".

HASHOMBR HATZAM ("Young Guard" Labour Party). (§ 35)

This party stands to the left of both the foregoing parties and stresses anti-capitalism and class war. It constitutes the core of the recently formed "World Union of Hashorner Hatzair Parties" (Brit Miflagot Hashomer Hatzair) and stands in opposition to practically all other Zionist parties in advocating a bi-national (Jewish Arab) independent State in Palestine, based on the principles of Zion ism and socialism.

The party controls some 46 collective settlements organised in the Kibbutz Artzi Hashomer Hatzair with a population of nearly 11,000 and is strongly represented in the Histadruth. Leading figures include Mr. M. Ben Tov, Mr. M. Yaari and Mr. Y. Hazan. The party polled 23,944. votes, or 12% , at the elections to the 22nd Zionist Congress. It is not represented on the Jewish Agency Executive. Although opposed to official Zionist policy on the principle of bi-nationalism and differing from other parties in acknowledging the permanent character of the Diaspora, the party associates itself with several of the Congress resolutions, particularly those for unrestricted immigration, settlement, and Jewish-Arab understanding, and rigidly opposes all forms of terrorism. The party organ is the daily "Mishmar".

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