The Herzl Center, together with Tova Dorfman, the President of the World Zionist Organization, hosted a visit by the founders of the Setteottobre Association for a moving tour of the national site, including a tour of the plot reserved for national leaders and a visit to the Herzl Museum. Setteottobre was founded in Italy following the October 7 massacres and aims to combat Antisemitism, terrorism and denial of true facts, and to support the State of Israel’s right of existence and to self-defense. The association is committed to the pursuit of the condemnation of terrorism, while combating falsehoods and distortions of reality that serve to undermine democratic values; it is critical of the minimization and acquiescence that have led to the legitimization of Islamic terrorism and the dissemination of Antisemitism. The association strives to sustain and expand the study of liberal democratic values and ensure their protection.
This September, a third delegation of two women survivors of the October atrocities in the Gaza border region arrived in Canada to bear testimony on behalf of the Israeli hostages in Gaza. The women, who hail from the kibbutzim of Kfar Aza and Beeri, held encounters with small Jewish communities in Canada, students, Jewish schools and even a pro-Israel church congregation, all of which were arranged in conjunction with the CZF (Canadian Zionist Federation.)
In July, the World Zionist Organization Vice-Chairman and Acting Chairman welcomed a series of leadership groups from cities in North America - Toronto, Washington DC, New York and Los Angeles. The groups enjoyed a tour of the National Institutions building, with insights into its fascinating history and the Zionist movement today.
The Chairman of the World Zionist Organization presented the President of Argentina with a medal to mark his tireless endeavors and support for the Jewish people and his steadfast engagement on behalf of the State of Israel. The president attended a mass rally in support of the State of Israel which was organized by ILAN – the Israel-Latin American relations lobby. It was attended by the Israel Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism, the Ambassador of Argentina to Israel and the Israel Ambassador to Argentina. The Chairman of the WZO also congratulated ILAN’s founder, Isaac Assa and his organization for their significant projects on behalf of the Jewish people and in support of the State of Israel.
A delegation travelled to Munich in conjunction with the World Habonim Dror youth movement, as part of this project. The visit was dedicated to the memory of Ofir Libstein z”l, former head of the Sha’ar Hanegev (Negev Gateway) Regional Council, murdered at Kfar Aza, his home kibbutz, on October 7. The delegation also visited the Olympic stadium, where they held a memorial ceremony for the Israeli athletes massacred during the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. The official memorial ceremony for Ofir was attended by members of his family and numerous invited guests. The program included video clips about Ofir and musical contributions by Chief Cantor of the IDF, Lt. Co. Shai Abramson.
A delegation of teenagers from Israeli Gaza border communities visited the Tarbut School in Mexico City, where a World Zionist Organization teacher emissary is currently posted on shlichut. The group traveled under the auspices of the Jewish Agency’s Eshkol-Mexico partnership and the teenagers were accommodated by local families from the school and the Jewish community, with a view to enabling them to create independent and meaningful two-way connections. The teenagers from the Eshkol region, who have experienced a rather challenging year, arrived keen to share the whole authentic story about Israel – about the beautiful facets of Israeli society, alongside the complexities of contending with the realities of life in wartime. For their part, the students from the Mexico Jewish community opened their hearts to their guests and spared no effort to ensure a warm welcome, making them feel at home and setting them at their ease. This was truly a journey that has succeeded in bringing people closer, and all the teenagers returned to Israel with the feeling they have gained a warm home and family on the other side of the world. Next year, the students from the Tarbut school will make their exchange visit to stay with families in Israel’s Eshkol region.
The Chairman of the World Zionist Organization welcomed the mission, which comprised over 60 members, to the National Institutions building. The visit was part of their program on a pilot tour of Israel to explore and familiarize themselves with the country as potential olim (immigrants.)
Six Solidarity Missions from the Diaspora visited the National Institutions building last week. The World Zionist Organization Vice Chairman and Acting Chairman welcomed them, engaging with the participants on the situation and life in Israel in the wake of October 7.
A World Zionist Organization delegation left last month for the United States (visiting Washington DC, Miami and New York) while a second one departed for South America (traveling to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay). The purpose of the missions, comprising IDF reservists and residents from the Gaza border region, was to bring their stories of courage in battle and the reconstruction of the border region. Their engagement with the various Jewish communities also provided an opportunity to express thanks for their support and help strengthen their connection with Israel through exposure to the soldiers’ personal narratives.
summary video of the delegation to the USA
The World Zionist Organization continues to welcome solidarity delegations arriving in Israel to express their identification with and support for the State of Israel. Below is a list of the visiting missions initiated by or scheduled in conjunction with the World Zionist Organization, over the course of the past few weeks:
The 20 young leaders engaged in voluntary work, brainstorming activities, and explored projects to implement on their return home to their respective communities. The group comprised members from different countries in Latin America: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay, and the delegation was sponsored jointly by ‘Taglit’ (Israel Experience) and ONWARD Israel, together with local Latin American Jewish organizations.
comprising community leadership figures. Members of the delegation went on fact-finding tours of Jerusalem and southern Israel to study the challenges and difficulties in the wake of the October atrocities, with a view to assessing the capacity, impact and contribution by Diaspora communities and their connection to Israel. The mission’s goal was to connect to local communities and foster their own connection to Israel in complicated times, as currently experienced by Jews around the world and Israelis, alike.
A solidarity mission under the aegis of the World Zionist Organization in conjunction with the ECJC, and with JDC sponsorship. The delegation comprised 33 leaders from formal and informal education in nine European countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Great Britain. Mission members engaged in a series of meetings, visited the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and traveled South to Kibbutz Kfar Aza and Re'im, where they heard first-person accounts about the events from survivors. They then visited the voluntary project providing meals and music for soldiers at Gilat Junction, which impressed them profoundly in terms of volunteerism and civilian mobilization on behalf of Israel’s serving soldiers. They also met with evacuees from Israel’s southern and northern border regions, visited the Forum and Hostages Square and met with representatives of the hostages’ families. Far more than simply a solidarity mission, “Hineni” (Here I am) is a mission with an unequivocal, winning position, that states: “We, and everything we embody, with all that we are and what we are capable of becoming” (929 / Tanakh B’Yachad website).
This delegation unites diverse opinion leaders from around the world on a journey to Israel. The schedule included fact-finding tours, and mission members met with a wide range of people and entities, with a major focus on the situation in Israel and activism in civil society that has been ongoing since the outbreak of the “Iron Swords” war. The outcome of the mission’s program has been to connect them directly to what is happening in Israel, as well as creating links to enable joint future programming. It has bridged them directly and experientially into the situation in Israel, enabling them to share personal sights and sensations with members of their communities on their return home and talk about what has happened to our people from firsthand accounts and information that they have accumulated. The itinerary included a visit to the National Institutions building and to the Herzl Education Center, as well as to kibbutzim in both southern and northern Israel. The delegation also traveled to Tel Aviv to the Forum and Hostages Square; members met with both evacuee communities and educational teams working with those communities on a voluntary basis; they met, too, with Dror Morag, Head of the Department for Social Activism and Tikkun Olam.
This delegation unites diverse opinion leaders from around the world on a journey to Israel. The schedule included fact-finding tours, and mission members met with a wide range of people and entities, with a major focus on the situation in Israel and activism in civil society that has been ongoing since the outbreak of the “Iron Swords” war. The outcome of the mission’s program has been to connect them directly to what is happening in Israel, as well as creating links to enable joint future programming. It has bridged them directly and experientially into the situation in Israel, enabling them to share personal sights and sensations with members of their communities on their return home and talk about what has happened to our people from firsthand accounts and information that they have accumulated. The itinerary included a visit to the National Institutions building and to the Herzl Education Center, as well as to kibbutzim in both southern and northern Israel. The delegation also traveled to Tel Aviv to the Forum and Hostages Square; members met with both evacuee communities and educational teams working with those communities on a voluntary basis; they met, too, with Dror Morag, Head of the Department for Social Activism and Tikkun Olam.
“In Their Own Words” – The WZO continues to send October 7 survivors from the South and the Nova Music Festival to relate their personal accounts of events to Jewish communities around the world. Over the past month, delegations of survivors have participated in educational activities in Germany; toured university campuses in the UK; spoken at a pro-Israel rally in London, at the BBYO Convention in Orlando, in various communities in Miami, the Mid-West and Canada - to name but some of the events. There is a tremendous response and interest in meeting and supporting the survivors from within Jewish communities and organizations and most of the events have been packed to capacity. Further survivor delegations will soon leave for France, Barcelona, Ohio, Texas, California, and other destinations.
The World Zionist Organization has been partnering in the organization of student delegations to Israel and delivering program content as well as providing alternative opportunities for them. These students, who have all experienced Antisemitism on their home campuses, have made the choice to visit Israel via a solidarity mission, in order to gain a hands-on experience for themselves of wartime life in Israel. The first mission was a group of 40 students, organized in conjunction with the "Tikvah Fund" and the "Shalem Institute". The second delegation was organized in conjunction with the "Israel Ambassador" Program (IAP).
This month, Israel Solidarity missions, visiting to show their support for Israel and engage in voluntary service, were welcomed at the National Institutions building.
Amid their intensive and packed schedules, combining voluntary work and tours of the Gaza border region, the groups were able to appreciate some down time there. They received a guided tour of the premises and an introduction to the building’s fascinating history as well as insights into the Zionist movement in present time.
The World Zionist Organization welcomed a solidarity mission from the US as part of a program to strengthen ties with Jewish community members in the Diaspora and to have their back, at a time when they are faced daily with challenges in their discourse with colleagues and partner organizations due to the crisis and their support for Israel.
The group had a discussion with Avi Dabush from Kibbutz Nirim, who addressed the massacre of October 7 and how kibbutz survivors living in evacuation relate to their experiences.
He also spoke about his own perception of Israel’s future and the urgency of bringing the hostages home swiftly and safely.
Against the backdrop of the Swords of Iron war, a delegation of eighteen graduates and participants of the Zionist Academy Program arrived in Israel in order to gain first-hand insights into the general situation in Israel and the Gaza Envelope in particular.
The purpose of the visit was to express solidarity with Israel and its residents and experience what is happening firsthand so that they can share the ongoing events with their communities and their acquaintances worldwide and mobilize them to contribute and act for Israel.
The delegation participants are all in their thirties; businessmen, entrepreneurs, real estate professionals, educators in Jewish and Zionist organizations, lawyers, bankers and employees of the Israeli embassies in their respective countries. Participants came from Austria, Australia, Ukraine, Ecuador, Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Holland, Hungary, Peru, Paraguay, Colombia, Sweden and Switzerland.
A delegation of fifteen evangelical priests from Chile arrived in Israel as part of an expression of solidarity and sympathy for the State of Israel. The delegation members toured the Western Wall in Jerusalem and other holy places, they visited Kibbutz Kfar Gaza and the city of Ofakim, which were affected by the events of October 7th and toured parts of north Israel as well.
The priests volunteered for an activity in the IDF and learned about its activities and morality.
At the end of the activity, they stated that "it is Israel's right and duty to defend itself,” a statement supported by about 2,000 priests and other religious leaders.
Mr. Alan Schneider, the Director of B’nai B’rith in Israel, organized a solidarity visit to Israel for members of B’nai B’rith led by the organization's CEO Mr. Dan Mariashein.
The delegation met with the chairman of the World Zionist Organization at the offices of the World Zionist Organization to discuss the challenges facing the Jewish people today.
They visited the Nova exhibition at the Tel Aviv Expo and an IDF exhibition of captured vehicles and weapons that Hamas used in its murderous attack against Israel.
They also went to the north of Israel and visited the city of Kiryat Shmona and traveled to the south and toured Sderot, Kfar Gaza and Be’eri. They then went to the headquarters of the hostages and missing families and visited Hostages Square.
The delegation ended the tour in the Bedouin city of Hura, where a condolence visit was made to the family of Samer al-Talalka - one of the three Israeli hostages who were accidentally killed by IDF soldiers.
Representatives of the B’nai B’rith organization and Israel's permanent delegation to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in France (OECD) held an event in Paris aimed at highlighting the ongoing humanitarian consequences of the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th in Israel.
Among the speakers were the Jewish-French Intellectual Bernard-Henri Levy as well as family members of Israeli-Arab hostages held in Gaza who witnessed the massacre and survived the attack.
See more on the event at the following link: https://www.bnaibrith.org/event-in-paris/
During Chanukah, a delegation from the World Zionist Organization went to Jewish communities in the United States, Europe and Latin America with nineteen heroes and heroines from the Gaza Envelope and the Nova festival.
The visit to the USA was held in collaboration with the "Connecting" initiative of the Ministry of Diaspora and the JCCA, with the participation of over twenty Jewish Community Centers.
The heroes and heroines shared their stories of heroism on that terrible Shabbat. The purpose of the visit was to allow Israeli voices to be heard in these complex days and to increase the connection and feeling of belonging between Israel and the Jewish communities in the Diaspora.
In this way, the people of the Gaza Envelope give a face and an identity to the disaster and tell their stories directly to communities around the world. This deepens the connection and mutual support of the entire Jewish people.
They participated in a total of over 100 events and reached over 15,000 people.
Some of the events they participated in included an event to mark the 5th anniversary of the massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, candle lighting with the Governor of Pennsylvania and candle lighting at the Israeli Embassy in Washington.
You can read the stories of the heroes and heroines here.
For pictures of the events click here.
December 6th 2023 - December 12th 2023
The World Zionist Organization provides vests and helmets for tours in the settlements of the Western Negev to various leadership delegations arriving in Israel during this period.
Families of hostages arrived for a visit to Uruguay that was organized by the Zionist Federation with the support of the World Zionist Organization. Among the significant meetings held was the meeting with the country's president, Luis Lacalle Pou. Additional meetings were held with members of parliament, ministers, media personalities from prominent media outlets in the country, and an especially meaningful event in the Jewish community.
A delegation that included fourteen leaders that represent the largest and most central Jewish communities in Argentina arrived in Israel. They came to express solidarity with Israel during the war. During the visit, they met with the President of the State, visited the wounded in hospitals and offered a special prayer at the Western Wall with the participation of public figures, rabbis and the chairman of the World Zionist Organization. The delegation also met with representatives of the families of the abductees at the home of the Argentinian ambassador of Israel and visited areas in the Gaza Envelope such as Kfar Gaza and Nir Yitzchak.
Twenty Jewish school principals from across Latin America flew in for a solidarity visit to Israel. The delegation met with families of evacuees staying at the Dead Sea, went to Kfar Gaza, met with the President of the State and the spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later in their visit, they will meet with key leaders as well as private citizens in order to express solidarity and hear the survivor’s heroic stories first-hand. This visit was arranged in collaboration with the Pincus Foundation, United and the Jewish Agency.
Members of the solidarity delegation of the heads of the Zionist Federations, along with board members and additional guests, visited the hostages and missing families headquarters in Tel Aviv. The visit was impressive and meaningful and highlighted the work of the headquarters, which is built entirely on volunteers that dedicate their days fully to this holy cause. The group also met with family members of the abductees which was both powerful and painful.
The delegation visited the Hostages Square and ended with a tour dedicated to the 29th of November - which coincidentally was that day - from Ben-Gurion’s House to Afela Park under the guidance of historian Prof. Ariel Feldstein.
The World Zionist Organization’s delegation that went to the United States as part of the Leaders in Israeli Society program conducted a significant tour during which it partnered in an event that took place at the United Nations. The purpose of the event was to expose to the world and the UN the horrors and shocking acts of sexual violence committed by Hamas terrorists against Israeli women on October 7th.
The World Zionist Organization initiated a visit of social media influencers from the USA and Canada, as a part of the organization's activities to raise awareness of the events of October 7th. The delegation was hosted by the chairman of the World Zionist Organization, who joined the delegation in visiting the hostages and missing families headquarters, the Hall of Remembrance at Mount Herzl, the Western Wall, Kfar Gaza, Ofakim, Gilat Junction, the Mishkam company's sewing room, the home of the late Lt. Col. Habaka in Ramat David and visiting the aerospace industry as well.
