Literally "workers of Zion"; a Zionist socialist workers' political party that began in Russia, Austria, and the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Influenced by the writings of the socialist Zionist theoretician, Dov Ber Borochov, Poalei Zion's platform was based on Marxist principles developed along nationalist lines. The party's worldwide movement was continually involved in arguments on such fundamental issues as cooperative settlement activity in Eretz Israel initiated by the labor class, membership in the Zionist Movement (which included members of the bourgeoisie), and the party's relationship to the Communist International.
Historical Dictionary of Israel. Bernard Reich David H. Goldberg. Edited by Jon Woronoff..