Summary
A prominent Second Aliya veteran and leader of Ahdut Ha’avoda’s left wing, whose proposal at the party’s third congress at Ein Harod in May 1924 — an immediately and democratically elected parliament with broad powers, accepting an Arab majority — was overwhelmingly defeated by David Ben-Gurion’s state-building line (Comrades and Enemies: Arab and Jewish Workers in Palestine, 1906-1948, lines 914-926).
Details
- Kaplansky argued the Yishuv’s vital interests could be safeguarded and Zionism’s long-term goals achieved through an agreement with the Palestinian Arab nationalist leadership, against Ben-Gurion’s position that any government based on the current demographic and political balance could only damage Zionism’s prospects (line 914).
- The congress overwhelmingly endorsed Ben-Gurion’s stance rather than Kaplansky’s (line 926).
Related pages
Comrades and Enemies: Arab and Jewish Workers in Palestine, 1906-1948, Ahdut Ha’avoda, David Ben-Gurion, Histadrut