At the WZO 39th World Jewish Congress held in Yerushalayim a few weeks ago, a coalition of liberal, progressive Reform slates at the World Zionist Congress (WZC) achieved notable success with several resolutions advancing their progressive agenda pertaining to the Kosel, the IDF draft, no support for settlement expansion and pro toeva support. The progressive delegates secured several key victories, highlighting a growing ideological divide within global Zionism. In total, 22 out of 23 resolutions were accepted.
The Congress does not have the authority to enforce policy beyond its financial influence, as legislation is passed in the Knesset. Nevertheless, the WZC seeks to shape policy by influencing lawmakers. Although right-wing blocs gained delegates in this election, the Reform slate increased its representation compared to five years ago.
The main argument of those joining the WZO from the religious or right-leaning sectors such as Eretz Hakodesh is that they aim to protect the kedushah of Eretz Yisrael. However, the liberal slates were still able to pass much of their agenda. The fact that only the Knesset can enact laws undermines the argument that joining the WZO is necessary for ideological protection unless the goal is the financial benefits associated with participation.
Summary of Key Progressive Resolutions:
Progressive Zionist groups passed a series of significant resolutions. One major measure barred the World Zionist Organization from funding future settlements in Gaza and the West Bank’s E1 area, passing 300–242 despite strong right-wing resistance.
Another resolution mandated equal budgeting and opportunities for all Jewish denominations, women’s groups, and LGBTQ+ organizations.
Several proposals, including a call to halt settlement expansion in E1, were blocked when right-wing and ultra-Orthodox delegates walked out, preventing a quorum.
Delegates also approved a resolution removing ultra-Orthodox control over the Kosel and urging the Israeli government to reopen and guarantee full access to the Egalitarian section, a change supported by Reform and Conservative movements and Women of the Wall.
The WJC endorsed the creation of an equitable draft system in Israel, calling for legislation that would require equal national service or IDF conscription for all citizens, including charedim and yeshiva students.
A Eretz Hakodesh amendmant to lower the age of voting for the WZO to 17 has failed to pass
1.3 Halting E1 Settlement – 219–39–67
2.1–2.2 Promotion & Expansion of Hebrew Studies – overwhelmingly approved
3.1–3.3 Diversity in Zionism, Egalitarian Kotel access, and equitable draft – all passed by clear margins
4.1–4.3 Inquiry into Oct. 7 events, budget transparency, and security for liberal communities – narrowly approved
5.1–5.2 Civil society strengthening and preventing Gaza settlement activity – passed with divided vote
6.1–6.3 Mental health taskforce, community resilience, and Holocaust survivor support – strong approval
7.1–7.3 Combating antisemitism in culture, globally, and on campuses – approved
8.1–8.3 Strengthening youth movements, archives, and Israel education – approved
10.1–10.3 Promoting women’s leadership and Aliyah for young volunteers – approved
Resolution below Not Accepted:
5.3 Strengthening relations with Christian Zionist allies – Failed (155 For / 391 Against / 16 Abstain)
In summary: 22 of 23 resolutions were accepted, with only the Christian Zionist allies proposal rejected.
zionism and zionists are a huge problem, we cannot associate with them
ReplyDeleteZionism and Zionists are a huge problem, we cannot ignore them and disassociate from them.
DeleteWe have much bigger problems than your insane obsession with zionists. OTD, shidduch crisis, poverty, kids not in school, alcoholism, etc etc
DeleteIt's much worse, because of the increased religious seats and influence, the leftist are trying to move kkl and other wzo money sources eretz hakodesh loves to talk about, out away from wzo to a separate liberal agency. Everything eretz hakodesh did is actually backfiring to make Israel more secular.
ReplyDeleteThat's what happens when daas baal habatim think they're smarter than daas torah, wut can go wrong so let's try it, becomes a full scale disaster
Deletethere are only baale habatim , on both sides. The outer fabric is immaterial[pun]
DeleteThe main argument of those joining the WZO from the religious or right-leaning sectors such as Eretz Hakodesh is that they aim to protect the kedushah of Eretz Yisrael. While the intention here is to write against that point of view it is actually greatly strengths it. Yes, just look at what the of coalition of liberal, progressive Reform slates at the World Zionist Congress did. The never could done so had the frum world vote en masse in the WZO elections because they would not have a large enough percent of the delegates.
ReplyDeleteno real frum people would do anything with the Zionists after Daas Torah said to avoid these elections.
ReplyDeletethis is why we can never go wrong listening to our rabbanim and roshei yeshiva who said to avoid the whole WZO now the liberals are on a mission to davka hurt Yahadus
ReplyDeleteHuh?It is the oppisite. The liberals were on a mission to davka hurt Yahadus before Eretz Hakodesh existed. Prior to the 1980s the Reform and Conservtive movements did not advocate voting in the WZO elections. After they started doing so with the explicit purpose of fighting Torah in Eretz Yisroel, Eretz Hakodosh was created to counteract them. And it would have been successful had so many in the frum world not fought tooth and nail that they should NOT have a say but rather make sure the the Reform and Conservtive movements have free reign.
DeleteDaas Torah didn't say not to vote
DeleteThere were different opinions among Gedolim as much as the non voters tried yo deny it.
The Reform only strengthened themselves because of Eretz Hakodesh. The wzo was dying out and Eretz Hakokosh woke up the monsters and the liberals put up a fight.
DeleteThe joke is on Eretz Hakodesh as there's now a movement in the knesset ro remove the KKL from the WZO which was the cash cow Eretz Hakodesh was banking on.
Where is Eretz Hakodesh press release on the recent Congress how they stopped the reform???
DeleteSo they were different DT.As many DT as there are people..in short everybody & their uncle is DT
DeleteHow could the WZO die out? Billions of dollars don't 'die out'.
DeleteI don’t understand some of the comments here. What were you thinking? The WZO offered the frum community the opportunity to vote and have a say. They vociferously refused and fought against those who were inclined to accept the offer. The Reform movement told its followers to vote so they can fight Torah and enact these type of things. Isn’t this the outcome you wanted or at least accepted beforehand?
ReplyDeletewell 馃憤 put
DeleteThe Reform only strengthened themselves because of Eretz Hakodesh. The wzo was dying out and Eretz Hakokosh woke up the monsters and the liberals put up a fight.
DeleteThe joke is on Eretz Hakodesh as there's now a movement in the knesset ro remove the KKL from the WZO which was the cash cow Eretz Hakodesh was banking on.
The gedolim all the years also knew the cheshbon of joining but ruled against it because of 讛转讞讘专讜转 诇专砖注讬诐
Its been proven that the push to join is all about money.
Why is money not a reason to vote?
DeleteWhere did this issur of money come from?
Why is BMG permitted to do anything, and honor anyone, just for money, yet others are not allowed to do so?
10:59 Since when was WZO dying out? The reform movement in their ads telling their followers certainly didn't seem aware of it. They very proudly said that ever since we stated to run we accomplished more and more in out fight against Torah in Eretz Yisroel. Before Eretz Hakodesh came around they were certainly doing so. And even if baseless claim was true, so what? End of the day the frum community was offered the opportunity to vote and control the WZO. They didn't even fought against it, guaranteeing the Reform movement free reign to do what it said they would. Now, don't complain about this outcome. This is what they fought for..
ReplyDeleteWell put!!
ReplyDelete