Simha Flapan (Hebrew: שמחה פלפן; 27 January 1911 – 13 April 1987)[1] was an Israeli historian and politician.

Flapan was National Secretary of the left Zionist Mapam party, and the director of its Arab Affairs department from 1959 to the mid-1970s; he also edited New Outlook magazine—a non-party monthly that promoted Arab-Jewish rapprochement.

[5] In the preface to Zionism and the Palestinians (1979), Flapan writes: To dispel misunderstanding, I want to make it clear that my belief in the moral justification and historical necessity of Zionism remains unaffected by my critical reappraisal of the Zionist leadership.

The history of Zionism demonstrates the extent to which the urge to create a new society, embodying the universal values of democracy and social justice, was inherent in the Zionist movement and responsible for its progress in adverse conditions.

[6]Flapan's personal and professional archives are located at Yad Yaari,[7] Hashomer Hatzair Research and Documentation Center at Givat Haviva.