The Leftist Youth Movement to Establish a Kibbutz in the West Bank

The leftist youth group called Hamatz HaYolim is examining plans to establish a new kibbutz in the West Bank, close to Jericho. This group, which identifies as leftist, has emphasized that in response to criticisms regarding the impact of this action on the Palestinian population, it must ensure that these kibbutzim are filled by Israeli leftists and not by right-wing residents, given the ongoing construction of Israeli settlements.

Leftism and Zionism

These two young movements and their foreign supporters seem to consider leftist Zionism as a legitimate political identity. But can a party, a movement, or an individual be both leftist and Zionist? The short answer from a Palestinian and anti-colonial perspective is no. This idea is designed as a political technology that shields Zionism from any criticism while maintaining structures of oppression.

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History of Leftist Zionism

The debate about the viability of “leftist Zionism” is not new. Zionism emerged as an organized Jewish nationalist movement in Europe in the 19th century, aiming to establish a Jewish national home. Although leftist figures entered this movement, they never truly committed to class struggle and internationalism. They used socialist rhetoric to justify the colonial project and the creation of a nation.

Throughout history, leftist parties in Israel, such as Mapai, founded in 1930 and led by David Ben-Gurion, acted as the dominant force in Zionist politics. These parties created institutions and organizations using the language of labor solidarity that systematically marginalized Palestinians from the economy. This process led to the institutionalization of discrimination and inequality in Israeli society.

Despite the historical records of crimes committed by labor committees and governments against Palestinians, some Western leftists still cling to the label of “leftism” in the context of Israeli policies and believe that what is happening in Palestine is solely related to Israeli right-wing forces.

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