Election of World Zionist Congress Opens: American Jews’ Influence on Israel’s Future
Voting for the 39th World Zionist Congress opens, allowing American Jews to shape Israel’s future. With $5 billion in funding and control over key institutions at stake, the election features competing ideologies, particularly between liberal and right-wing Orthodox factions. Voter turnout remains a concern, highlighting the importance of participation in representing the diverse Jewish community.
Voting commenced on Monday for the election of the 39th World Zionist Congress (WZC), providing American Jews an exceptional opportunity to influence the future of Israel. The WZC, established 128 years ago by Theodore Herzl, holds sway over approximately $5 billion in Jewish funding and significant quasi-governmental entities such as the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Fund, which controls a substantial portion of Israeli land.
All Jewish adults residing in the United States are eligible to vote from March 10 to May 4, provided they endorse a series of Zionist principles and pay a registration fee of $5. This election is notably characterized by a vigorous ideological contest between liberal and right-wing Orthodox factions, each aiming to define the future trajectory of these institutions and their financial allocations amidst a critical juncture in Israel’s history.
The election results will have profound implications on essential matters such as religious pluralism, funding for Jewish education, the expansion of settlements, and the dynamics of Israel-Diaspora relations. Rabbi Josh Weinberg emphasized the election’s significance, stating, “This election is about nothing less than the soul of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.”
The current WZC represents 152 seats available for American Jews, a considerable increase compared to the previous election’s 15 slates. Those elected will join 173 representatives from other Diaspora communities and 200 representatives chosen by Israeli political parties according to their parliamentary representation.
Various slates are present in the WZC, including Achdut Israel, advocating for unity and support for Israeli troops; AID Coalition, representing the pro-democracy protest movement; and American Forum for Israel, which promotes pro-settlement initiatives. Additionally, younger generations are represented by slates such as Am Yisrael Chai, and ANU: A New Union, which champions a pluralistic vision of Judaism.
The religious and ideological divides within candidates are pronounced, with slates such as Dorshei Torah V’Tzion advocating for LGBTQ inclusion and religious pluralism, contrasting sharply with the right-leaning Israel365 Action and the ZOA Coalition opposing Palestinian statehood. Each slate brings unique perspectives and policies aimed at addressing the challenges facing global Jewry.
Many new candidates are appealing to particular demographics, with a focus on Orthodox and pro-settlement values. However, the tendency toward left-leaning views persists among American Jews overall, marked by low participation in previous elections. In 2020, only 125,000 out of nearly six million voted—a significant increase from past elections, yet still minimal.
Yizhar Hess from the World Zionist Organization has expressed concern over low voter turnout, labeling it a “shande” that jeopardizes the plurality inherent to Zionism. He aims to increase awareness and participation in the electoral process, advocating that the congress genuinely reflect the diversity within the Jewish community worldwide, stating, “If the congress is called ‘the parliament of the Jewish people,’ it should reflect the makeup of world Jewry.”
The ongoing election for the 39th World Zionist Congress provides American Jews with a crucial opportunity to influence Israel’s future amidst significant ideological divides. With substantial funding and institutional control at stake, the results will directly affect key issues like religious plurality and settlement policies. Moreover, low voter turnout remains a critical concern, emphasizing the need for broader participation to ensure representation of diverse Jewish perspectives. As the election unfolds, the outcome will shape strategic priorities for the global Jewish community.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
