Elation and consternation at World Zionist Congress

South Africans will celebrate South African-born Rabbi Doron Perez, the chairperson of the religious Zionist World Mizrachi movement, having been chosen to be the next chairperson of the World Zionist Organization (WZO) at the 39th World Zionist Congress (WZC) from 28 to 30 October. 

Perez’s son, Captain Daniel Perez, was killed in battle on 7 October 2023, and his body was kidnapped into Gaza with 250 other Israelis. Rabbi Perez was recently able to bury his son after his body was returned. 

However, passionate debate, robust negotiation, and steely determination to secure the Jewish future was the crux of this congress, for which hundreds of delegates from around the world gathered in Jerusalem. 

When large groups of Jews with divergent opinions gather, there are inevitably disagreements and even some controversy. At this congress, there was much consternation around the proposed tapping of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial son, Yair, for a senior role at the World Zionist Organization. 

Often referred to as the “Parliament of the Jewish people”, the congress brings together delegates from a variety of political factions and unions as well as international Jewish organisations as long as they have accepted the Jerusalem Programme. This defines Zionism as the unity of the Jewish people, the centrality of Israel, and the strengthening of Jewish life globally. 

This congress came at a time when disunity is rife among factions, a threat that we as a global community can ill afford. Attempts were made by different factions to try find solutions, a challenge considering that there were fractions within factions like the Likud party. 

Yaakov Hagoel, a Likudnik who has chaired the WZO for the past five years and Benjamin Netanyahu have a strained relationship. It was while parties were trying to find solutions that would result in agreement on appointments at key Zionist institutions and a new arrangement for the leadership of the World Zionist Organization and Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael that Culture Minister Miki Zohar put forward Yair Netanyahu for a role. 

To say this caused upset is an understatement. The young Netanyahu is a highly controversial figure, derided among many in Israel for his social media activity, which is often inflammatory. Netanyahu would reportedly receive a comfortable position, with a car and other perks. Netanyahu “wanted to be involved in advocacy”. The plenary erupted into a shouting match, and factions moved to suspend the congress. This effectively torpedoed the unity agreement and the voting, which was suspended until earlier this week. Delegates had to vote remotely. 

In the end, the proposal was dropped, and factions reached an agreement that still requires the approval of the leadership of Zionist institutions. 

Halfway through Perez’s five-year term as chairperson, Hagoel, the current chairperson, will replace him. Leadership of the Jewish National Fund-KKL would remain as previously agreed. Yesh Atid MK Meir Cohen would serve as the next chairperson of the Jewish National Fund-KKL. 

When Theodor Herzl founded the World Zionist Organization in 1897 in Basel, Switzerland, did he envision this? The WZC serves as the legislative authority of the WZO. After the founding of the modern state of Israel, the WZC still maintains importance in the Jewish world. It’s here where important strategic decisions are made including determining policies and leadership for key Zionist institutions for the next five years. Many have opined over the years whether the WZC still has relevance, and the robust discussions and sense of urgency on a number of important issues proves that the congress still has importance in Jewish life. 

It’s at the WZC where voting will decide where much needed budget will be allocated, especially at this crucial time in Jewish history, where antisemitism is at record high levels around the world and the modern iteration of this ancient hatred manifests as anti-Zionism. 

Israel has endured two years of war, and there are still eight deceased hostages whose remains are being held by Hamas. This was certainly felt in the mood and discourse at sessions. It’s a fight for limited resources, and political movement behind the scenes often determines who gets the bigger slice of the pie. 

The WZC is a democratic assembly. Representation is divided between Israel (38%); the United States (29%); and other diaspora countries (33%). It was noticeable that there was a lot more diversity of representation and a higher number of young delegates this year. 

Speaking to fellow delegates, I heard firsthand the fear and concern many feel about rising antisemitism in their countries and what kind of future their communities have. Some delegates expressed frustration at the focus of resolutions on antisemitism in the US at the expense of other communities facing threats to their safety. It’s imperative that the WZO doesn’t focus just on the US despite its size and financial contribution. It would be more productive to funnel less budget into political factions and more into organisations that are “doing” Zionism, including through education. 

The Zionists converged on Jerusalem, and proved that more than 100 years later, Herzl’s dream is still as strong as ever. 

• Rolene Marks is a Middle East commentator often heard on radio and TV and is the co-founder of Lay of the Land and the SA-Israel Policy Forum.