Submitted by ARZENU
Whereas Article 2 of the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization (hereinafter: "the Constitution") defines the "Zionist Program - the Jerusalem Program"; and
Whereas Article 2A of the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization addresses the "Nature of Zionism"; and
Whereas Article 3 of the Constitution requires that the "Zionist International Organization" be recognized as such only if it has accepted the Jerusalem Program; and
Whereas Article 5 of the Constitution requires everyone who is eligible to be accepted as a "member" of the Zionist movement to undertake that they are willing to accept the "Jerusalem Program"; and
Whereas this requirement also requires anyone who wishes to vote in elections to the Zionist Congress to undertake the same commitment,
The Zionist General Council XXXIX hereby resolves:
To amend the Regulations for the Implementation of the Constitution in such a way that, after Regulation 1 of the Regulations, a new Regulation 1A will be inserted, reading as follows:
“Establishment of Regulation 1A (New) to the Regulations for the Implementation of the Constitution
(Sections 2 and 2A of the Constitution)
1. Before a member of the Zionist Executive is brought to a vote at the Zionist Congress, and before a member of the Executive Board of Directors of KK"L (the Jewish National Fund) is brought for approval at the General Assembly of KK"L (Jewish National Fund), and before a member of the Jewish Agency is brought to approval by the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency, on behalf of the World Zionist Organization, said candidate
1.1. Shall sign the following declaration:
I _______ undertake to personally accept the "Jerusalem Program" and the "Fundamentals of Zionism," as defined in Sections 2 and 2A of the Constitution of the
World Zionist Organization (hereinafter: the "Constitution"), and I undertake to comply with the provisions of the Constitution and to faithfully fulfill my mission In my position.
1.2. Immediately upon approval and as a condition for its approval, said candidate is obligated to sign on a physical copy of the Jerusalem Program on the Foundations of Zionism, which shall be displayed publicly in the offices of the World Zionist Organization and KKL.
2. The Secretariat of the Zionist Executive and the Secretariat of the KKL-JNF Board of Directors shall ensure the implementation of the provisions of this regulation.
3. The numbering of the regulations for the implementation of the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization shall be amended accordinglyת in such a way that this regulation shall be marked as Regulation 1A, and the numbering of the following regulations shall be amended accordingly.”
Submitted by Eretz HaKodesh
#Votum Separatum
Background and Rationale:
According to Article 22 of the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization, the right to vote and be elected to the Zionist Congress is currently granted to any Jew who has reached the age of eighteen (18) years and who is a member of a body affiliated to the World Zionist Organization.
It is proposed to amend the provisions of said article so that the right to vote and to be elected shall be granted to individuals from the age of 17.
This proposal is intended to strengthen the status, participation and impact of young Jews within the institutions of the Zionist movement. Many 17-year-olds actively participate in Zionist youth movements, educational delegations, public diplomacy initiatives and social activism in the community. Integrating them into the sphere of decision-making – including granting them the right to vote and run for office represents a crucial step in fulfilling the World Zionist Organization’s vision of fostering intergenerational partnership within the National Institutions of the Jewish people.
This amendment aligns with the World Zionist Organization’s policy to encourage youth engagement in its institutions, as reflected in Article 23 of the Constitution, which addresses the representation of “young generation” members. The proposed change aims to strengthen the next generation’s connection to Zionist values and to the institutions of the World Zionist Organization, rooted in the belief that young people are not only the future but an active and integral part of the Zionist present.
It is important to note that the State of Israel itself has taken several steps in the legal recognition of the civic capacity of 17-year-olds:
Section 6A of the Local Authorities (Elections) Law, 1965 provides: “A resident who has reached the age of seventeen shall be eligible to vote in municipal elections.”
Amendment No. 54 to the Knesset Elections Law (Consolidated Version), 1969 states:
“A person who is seventeen years old on election day is eligible to serve on a polling committee.”
Since 2000, numerous bills have been introduced in the Knesset to amend the “Basic Law: The Knesset” - aiming to extend voting rights to 17-year-olds in General Elections, by Members of the Knesset from diverse political parties.
This Israeli policy reflects global trends toward expanding youth participation in democratic processes:
Austria, Scotland, Brazil, Argentina and Ecuador – voting rights from age 16.
Germany – several federal states allow voting from age 16 in local elections. Norway – pilot programs showed that even higher percentages of 16–17-year-olds voted than those aged 18–29.
Estonia – voting in municipal elections from age 16.
United States – in many states, 17-year-olds may vote in primaries if they will turn 18 by the General Election.
Empirical support from research findings:
The Knesset Research and Information Center Report (January 2021) notes that: “The earlier a person votes for the first time, the more probable it is that they will continue voting throughout their life… There exists a representation deficit—a group of young people with defined interests that is insufficiently represented, due to the absence of the right to vote.”
IDEA – International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (2018): In the report, “Youth Participation in Electoral Processes”, it is emphasized that lowering the voting age strengthens a sense of political belonging and civic participation.
Hans-Peter Kriesi (2013):
Voting at a younger age promotes long-term political engagement, especially when introduced during a period of active connection to educational and community institutions.
Scotland – After lowering the voting age to 16, the turnout rate among young voters was found to be similar to—or even exceeding—that of persons aged 18–24, with a higher sense of awareness at local political level.
In light of the above, and in accordance with the democratic and Zionist principles of partnership and continuity, the Zionist Congress is called upon to amend the and formally establish in the Constitution the age of 17 as the threshold for voting and the right to stand for election.
Proposed text of the amendment:
Therefore, the Zionist Congress XXXIX hereby resolves:
That the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization shall be amended as follows:
A. In Article 22, Section (1), to replace:
“Every Jew who has reached the age of eighteen years and who is a member of a body affiliated to the World Zionist Organization shall be entitled to vote in elections to Congress.” With:
“Every Jew who is a member of a body affiliated with the World Zionist Organization and has reached the age of 17 shall be entitled to vote in elections to the Congress.” B. In Article 22, Section (2), to replace:
“every person entitled to vote in elections to Congress who has reached the age of
eighteen years shall be eligible for election as delegate to Congress,” With:
“every person entitled to vote in elections to Congress who has reached the age of 17 shall be eligible for election as delegate to Congress.”
Submitted by The Zionist Executive
The Zionist Congress XXXIX hereby resolves:
To amend Section 41(c) of the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization as follows:
41. The Congress shall elect an Executive, composed as follows:
...
“(c) Up to 24 members from among the factions represented in the Congress, amongst whom shall be those who will be responsible for the Departments.”
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