Mapam

Mapam, an acronym for Mifleget Poalei Eretz Yisrael, was a significant left-wing political party in Israel. Founded in 1948, it emerged from the merger of two earlier socialist-Zionist parties, Hashomer Hatzair and Poalei Zion. Mapam's ideology was rooted in socialist Zionism, advocating for a Jewish homeland in Palestine based on principles of social justice, equality, and labor.

Throughout its history, Mapam played a role in Israeli coalition governments, often aligning with the dominant Mapai party (later the Labor Party). The party was known for its commitment to kibbutz settlements and its strong stance on agricultural development and social welfare. In foreign policy, Mapam initially held a more independent and sometimes critical view of Western influence, advocating for non-alignment during the Cold War.

Mapam experienced internal shifts and ideological debates over the years. While maintaining its socialist and Zionist foundations, its positions evolved in response to changing political realities in Israel and the Middle East. The party's influence gradually waned over time, and it eventually merged with other left-wing factions. In 1997, Mapam united with Meretz to form a new party, also named Meretz, marking the end of Mapam as an independent political entity. Despite its eventual absorption, Mapam left a lasting legacy on the Israeli political landscape through its contributions to socialist thought, social movements, and the development of the kibbutz movement.