Whereas the State of Israel, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, was able to sign at the time of its establishment a solemn document that clearly defines its character as a Jewish and democratic state;
And whereas some of the foundations of Zionism, as defined in the World Zionist Organization constitution, are the unity of the Jewish people:
"In the fortification of Israel as a Zionist and democratic Jewish state, with unique spiritual values based on mutual respect for the versatility of the Jewish people, a model society that strives for peace and contributes to the correction of the world."
And whereas Zionism is a movement that defends the basic principles of justice, equality and democracy and rejects discrimination on the grounds of origin, nationality or race or gender or sexual orientation, and committed to the founding document of the State of Israel, the Declaration of Independence;
Therefore, in honor of Israel's 75th jubilee, the Zionist Congress resolves:
1. The Declaration of Independence is one of the central, founding documents of the Zionist movement.
2. In each of the offices of the World Zionist Organization, in Israel and abroad, the Declaration of Independence will be displayed, alongside the Jerusalem Program.
3. The World Zionist Organization and its departments will not carry out activities that contradict the values of the Declaration of Independence.
4. The World Zionist Organization will not cooperate with organizations whose values contradict the values of the Declaration of Independence.
In the current situation in the State of Israel, where there is sense of great concern, tempers are flaring and divisions are growing, the World Zionist Organization is an important, essential entity that unites within it the representatives of the entire Zionist spectrum in the Jewish world out of an obligation to fulfill the central mission of the World Zionist Organization in the Jewish world as a platform for unity, cooperation and dialogue;
Whereas Section 3 of the Jerusalem Program states: “..Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people, rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world.”;
Whereas the World Zionist Organization requires every member of the Zionist movement to accept the Jerusalem Program;
Whereas the World Zionist Organization brings together all the ideological groupings, religious streams and Zionist organizations active among the Jewish people in Israel and in the Diaspora;
Whereas the Declaration of Independence was accepted and signed by all political streams represented within the Jewish people.
Therefore, the Zionist Congress resolves:
1. To adopt the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel as a source document for the Jerusalem Program.
2. That the principles of the Declaration of Independence will guide the operation of the World Zionist Organization and will be a central source of inspiration in the Zionist vision.
3. To encourage all departments of the World Zionist Organization to hold activities and events around the values of the Declaration of Independence and its status as a founding document in the 75th year of Israel's independence.
4. To turn to the Zionist Executive to examine as to the hanging of a large banner with the Declaration of Independence in its center, on the building of the World Zionist Organization in Tel Aviv on the side where Zionist banners are hung from time to time in order to gain public visibility and exposure, as part of the 75th year celebration.
Whereas the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people by virtue of their historical, religious and moral right to it, namely the State of Israel; and
Whereas, by virtue of this right, the First Zionist Congress was convened and founded an activist Zionist identity, through which Zionist leaders acted and formed modern political Zionism leading to the foundation of the State of Israel; and
Whereas today, on the 75th birthday to the State of Israel, it is necessary to strengthen Zionist activism;
Therefore, the Zionist Congress calls for:
1. Strengthening of the Zionist identity in Israel and in the Diaspora based on the values of settlement, Aliyah and education, as determined in the Jerusalem program.
By virtue of the historical and Zionist right, the Zionist Congress will act:
2. To strengthen settlement in Israel, promoting Aliyah and reinforcing a Jewish majority: The Zionist Congress calls upon the World Zionist Organization to act to increase the Jewish majority by dedicating additional resources for programs to promote Aliyah among Jews in the Diaspora and in action vis-א-vis the State of Israel to strengthen Aliyah absorption within Israel.
In addition, The Zionist Congress calls upon The World Zionist Organization:
3. To act to strengthen the education system in Israel and the Diaspora so that it emphasizes Zionist studies, Jewish identity, the heritage of the Jewish people, and Israel being a Jewish and democratic state in which there exists the right to pray freely.
The Zionist Congress calls upon the National Institutions:
4. To increase the number of participants in Jewish educational institutions in the Diaspora to promote the Hebrew language and involvement in the Zionist movement, to create new bridges to connect with Israel, and to develop programs to strengthen the national Jewish identity of the Jewish people and the education for contributing to society through a meaningful military service in the IDF.
In the face of division among the Jewish nation and given the uniting nature of Zionism - The Zionist Congress calls upon The World Zionist Organization:
5. To act within Israeli society to strengthen the unity between the various parts of the nation, while encouraging Zionist dialogue, which works to maintain the Jewish and democratic identity of the country through a deep connection to heritage of the Jewish people and its values.
Whereas the Law of Return is one of the most paramount laws of the State of Israel, a law that is the bedrock of Zionism, which anchors one of the most distinct principles of the Zionist movement from time immemorial; and
Whereas in the 75th anniversary of Israel's independence the fact that, thanks to the Law of Return, the State of Israel has been blessed with the Aliyah of millions of immigrants over the years - from both Eastern and Western countries, is particularly notable; and
Whereas over the years the Law of Return has become a symbol, a festive symbol of Jewish peoplehood at its best, a glamorous, Zionist symbol like no other which defines the collective borders of the Jewish people - As far as Aliyah to Israel is concerned (eligibility to the Law of Return); and
Whereas from the dawn of Zionism to the present day, the Zionist movement has advocated an open worldview, which notes the diversity of the people of Israel, without discrimination or bias, with its different views and beliefs; and
Whereas voices are now being heard calling for the Law of Return to be amended and minimized; and
Whereas such an amendment to the Law of Return will alienate hundreds of thousands of people of Jewish descent and have a disastrous impact on Aliyah to the State of Israel.
Therefore, in the 75th year of the State of Israel and out of a deep sense of historical responsibility, the Zionist Congress resolves that:
1. The Zionist Congress calls not to amend the Law of Return and not to try to minimize its content.
2. The World Zionist Organization will work to protect the Law of Return as a bedrock of Zionism.
3. The Zionist Congress, as per the letter sent on 1 January 2023 by the Chairman of the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization to the Prime Minister, seeks to strengthen all those involved in bringing immigrants to Israel in accordance with the Law of Return.
Whereas exactly 50 years following the vision of Benjamin Ze’ev Herzl, who foresaw the creation of the state, and exactly 75 years ago the Jewish nation was fortunate to actualize the divine promise and the vision of Israel’s prophets, and returned to become a free nation in its homeland; and
Whereas after 2000 years, the historical Jewish nation has returned, merited independence, and established the State of Israel in its promised land; and
Whereas the Jewish People are a unique entity in the world, an entity with qualities that are impossible to categorize in words or conventional ways; an entity that is at the same time a nation, a religion, a family, a people that survived for many years without political independence; and
Whereas the Jewish people is brilliantly and proudly in the midst of a return to the land of our fathers;
Therefore, the Extraordinary Zionist Congress calls upon:
The World Zionist Organization to increase its efforts and activities to encourage those members of the Jewish nation living in the Diaspora to return home.
Whereas we are proud to celebrate 75 years of Israel as the only democracy in the Middle East;
Whereas mature democracies are rightly measured not just by whether there are free elections but also by whether there are robust checks and balances in place to protect the democratic rights of all inhabitants;
Whereas the primary body with the capacity for checks and balances on Israeli democracy is the judiciary;
Whereas our Tradition teaches us to “Learn to do good, devote yourselves to justice..." (Isaiah 1:17);
Whereas Israel’s Declaration of Independence asserts that the State of Israel, “will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants …”; and
Whereas the reforms to weaken the judicial system, which have been pursued in haste and without regard for the effect that these changes will have on the relationship between Israel and Jews around the world, have been halted and are currently in deliberation under the aegis of the President of Israel;
The Extraordinary Congress 5783 marking the 75th anniversary of the independence of the State of Israel, therefore, resolves:
1. To remind the government of the State of Israel that Jews around the world are deeply committed to Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, as well as the danger posed to this relationship stemming from the promotion of the government's plan to weaken the judiciary.
2. The Zionist Congress believes that change in the State of Israel's judicial structure can only happen through broad public agreement, as the outcome of true and open dialogue and as part of a process of healing social rifts across all of Israeli society.
3. The Zionist Congress calls upon the government to reach consensus agreements that will bolster the democratic nature of the State of Israel and the checks and balances in the structure of government, while providing protection for human rights, minorities and women.
4. The Zionist Congress instructs the Executive of the World Zionist Organization to publish this resolution through all its distribution lists via both social and traditional media.
Whereas at its early stages, the Zionist Movement was the most innovative initiative to occur in 2,000 years of Jewish history, since the Jewish exile in 70 CE; and
Whereas the Zionist Movement innovated and created the Zionist National Institutions and the necessary capacities to establish the State of Israel; and
Whereas today, as we near the 75th Independence Day, Israel has emerged and become globally recognized as the start-up nation and a source of innovation and inspiration in many fields and sectors,
Therefore, the Extraordinary Zionist Congress resolves that:
1. On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day, the World Zionist Organization will apply to Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael for assistance in budgeting for the establishment of an Office of Innovation that will work as an independent body to drive and inject innovation both as an organizational culture and practice throughout all of the Institutions' projects and initiatives. Following the approval of this resolution, a detailed plan will be presented within 60 days with the goal to establish this office will by Rosh Hashanah 5784.
2. The Office of Innovation will ensure that there will be clear rules for allocation of budgets as well as on equality, transparency and the absence of political considerations in the allocation of budgets in Israel and the Diaspora, with the exception of bodies that promote and support the BDS movement.
3. The Office of Innovation will begin by setting the innovation criteria and prioritizing the innovation areas based on an analysis of the existing significant gaps, urgent needs, and impactful opportunities for the member institutions.
4. The Office of Innovation will invite other players from both the private and Zionist world to bring forth new ideas for the National Institutions to promote and accelerate those ideas through a Zionist lens. These public and private sector leaders will serve on an advisory council.
Whereas the State of Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people and not just the state of its citizens, and after 75 years of existence in which diplomatic, technological, economic, and other capabilities have been accumulated in it, it is operating to strengthen the Jewish communities in the Diaspora and deepen its affinity with the State of Israel; and
Whereas it is the Jewish community that has preserved the Jewish people for thousands of years of exile in the Diaspora and constitutes an essential infrastructure for Jewish ethnic identity and beneficial social belonging, which fosters resilience and empowers mutual responsibility, in times of routine and crisis; and
Whereas the main impact on Jewish identity, future continuity, and vitality depends on a renewed community leadership who is relevant to the challenges of the day, on their ties to the State of Israel, and on the quality and activity of formal and informal social networks; and
Whereas the synagogue is a central and important institution in the life of Diaspora Jewry as a house of prayer, and as a place where Jewish customs and ceremonies are held that contribute to community cohesion, tighter social networks, and resilience; and
Whereas we are witnessing waves of anti-Semitism emerging around the world, in a way that undermines the natural sense of security and threatens the resilience of the Jewish community and its members, due to Aliya, emigration and/or distancing from Jewish identity;
The Extraordinary Zionist Congress resolves that:
1. To act to strengthen Jewish identity among Diaspora communities, by initiating Jewish encounters with each other and supporting activities relating to the Jewish calendar events - intra-community and inter-communal - and through the promotion of Aliyah and education, for members of varying circles of affiliation.
2. To cultivate male and female young community leaders as a critical resource for continuity and resilience, and for the ability of communities to be afflicted with anti-Semitism, by organizing dedicated professional conferences on topics relevant to their formal and informal roles, and to strengthen their ties to their Judaism, to the Jewish world in general, and to the State of Israel and to Zionism in particular.
3. To call upon the National Institutions operating community and educational programs among Diaspora Jewry – the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency for Israel and Keren Kayemet L'Israel– to broaden and expand activity within synagogues and Jewish communities from all streams of Judaism, and activities with male and female community leaders, educators and additional relevant officers in the communities; to develop programs with a view to the empowerment of these communities and officers; and to provide substantial professional response to their challenges.
Whereas the World Zionist Organization's mission is to ensure the State of Israel remains a national home for all Jews, regardless of belief and/or religious affiliation, ideological tendency, origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
And whereas the World Zionist Organization can serve as a bridge between the Jewish LGBTQIA communities and the State of Israel by promoting greater understanding, cooperation, and mutual support.
And whereas the State of Israel, celebrating 75 years of independence, is known throughout the world as a place that knows how to respect, accommodate, and even celebrate the existence of the LGBTQIA community.
The Zionist Congress resolves that:
1. The Zionist movement and the national institutions will be a home for every Jew, from all over the world, regardless of belief and/or religious affiliation, ideological tendency, origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
2. The Congress calls for increased activity of education and awareness and inclusion: deepening the awareness and educational activity related to the inclusion of the LGBTQIA community, within the Zionist activity in the State of Israel and in the Diaspora, through workshops, seminars, and other educational initiatives.
3. Out of a desire to deepen the connection between the LGBTQIA population and Zionism all over the world - the Zionist Congress calls on the national institutions in general, and the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization in particular, to find a way to celebrate Pride Week.
Whereas the State of Israel, which is proudly celebrating its 75th anniversary to its establishment - is the nation state of the entire Jewish people; and
Whereas the people of Israel are endowed with different worldviews and diverse Jewish concepts; and
Whereas the Zionist movement pledged in its founding documents - both the Zionist constitution and the Jerusalem Program - to the commitment to the basic principles of justice, equality and democracy, while denying discrimination of any kind, and respect for the diversity of the people of Israel; and
Whereas the Supreme Court in Israel has long recognized Conservative and Reform conversions held in recognized Jewish communities - both for the purposes of registration in the Population Registry as Jews and/or for the purposes of the Law of Return - and that's how the Ministry of the Interior has been acting for many years; and
Whereas most Diaspora Jews belong to the non-orthodox streams of Judaism; and
Whereas there are voices in the Israeli government seeking to bypass the court's ruling and to promote conversion legislation that will exclude the non-orthodox streams of Judaism;
Therefore, the Zionist Congress resolves as follows:
1. The Zionist Congress calls on the Israeli government not to enact a conversion law that will exclude or discriminate, directly or indirectly, against Jews who were converted under the auspices of the Reform and Conservative streams of Judaism.
2. The Zionist Congress appreciates and respects all the women and men who enter the gates of Israel - who underwent orthodox, conservative or reform conversion - and wish them that they will be able to find their rightful place within the people of Israel and the State of Israel.
Whereas the World Zionist Organization's recognition of the Holocaust as a defining event in human history in general and the Jewish people in particular, and the importance of deepening historical knowledge about the Jewish communities that perished and raising awareness of the heroism of the Holocaust survivors; and
Whereas against the background of Holocaust denial in the world in view of the advanced age of the Holocaust survivors living today, it is mandatory to act urgently on the issue of documenting their testimonies and on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the State of Israel and the Zionist enterprise.
The extraordinary Zionist Congress resolves that:
The World Zionist Organization, through its institutions, will work to promote Government Resolution No. 3474 of May 4, 2008 and Government Resolution No. 1016 of January 23, 2022 on the subject of visual documentation of Holocaust survivors from Israel and throughout the world.
Whereas in 2023, as we approach the 75th anniversary of Israel's independence, Antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and the exclusion of Jews in multicultural education and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have become ongoing concerns that impact Jewish communities both in the Diaspora and in Israel; and
Whereas Jewish communities and individuals have a right to participate fully in multicultural education, DEI efforts, and similar initiatives, free from discrimination and prejudice based on their religious, ethnic, and cultural identity; and
Whereas education plays a vital role in combating antisemitism and promoting understanding, respect, and inclusion for all people, including Jews;
Therefore the Extraordinary Zionist Congress resolves that:
1. The World Zionist Organization will work to raise awareness to cases of antisemitism; anti-Zionism; and exclusion of Jews and Jewish identity via multi-cultural initiatives in educational institutions, universities and colleges as well as in work settings.
2. The World Zionist Organization will foster the move to hold a discussion at the Knesset in the course of 2023, which will present the Israel government's activities to reinforce public awareness around the world about the Jewish people, antisemitism and anti-Zionism.
Whereas scribes, scholars, archaeologists and scientists have documented Israel for 3,500 years of history, throughout tribes, kingdoms and dynasties in the Levant. They have sourced history through excavations, the Five Books of Moses and other texts; and
Whereas ancient and modern Jewish history have allowed a diverse and multicultural citizenry to flourish in the land of Israel across modern millennia, into the 21st Century; and
Whereas Theodor Herzl, in pursuit of re-establishing the Jewish homeland in the wake of persecutions, pogroms, excommunications, the Inquisition, and insurrections from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance through the 19th Century, built a network of support to create the Zionist movement and convene the first Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, in 1897; and
Whereas the Zionist movement survived and endured, even after the genocide by Nazi Germany from 1933 and 1945 in what became known as The Holocaust with the extermination of more than six million Jews and millions of others, and ultimately to United Nations recognition of the Partition Plan and the Declaration of the State of Israel in 1947 and 1949.
Therefore, on the occasion of Israel’s 75th anniversary the Extraordinary Zionist Congress:
Reiterates its support for the Jerusalem Program; calls on constituent members to find common ground to promote the Zionist ideal.
Whereas in the WZO Constitution it is declared that one of the Foundations of Zionism is:
"Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and Democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people, rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world"; and
Whereas in the WZO Constitution it is declared that:
“Zionism advocates the fundamental principles of justice, equality and democracy, and denounces discrimination on the grounds of origin, nationality, race, gender or sexual orientation. Zionism is committed to the State of Israel's landmark document: the Israel Declaration of Independence and to the State of Israel's fundamental values, as enshrined therein."; and
Whereas in the WZO Constitution it is declared that:
"Every Jew who has reached the age of eighteen and is willing to accept the Jerusalem Program and pay membership dues (“the Zionist Shekel”) in an amount to be determined as stipulated in the Regulations for the Implementation of the Constitution, may be an individual member of the World Zionist Organization"; and
Whereas, after 75 years of Independence, we are witnessing that factors in the State of Israel are expressing themselves in the direction of changing the basis of agreements regarding the definition of a "Jewish and Democratic State"; and
Whereas voices have been heard recently, advocating that recognized non-Zionists be able to take part in the decisions that take place in the WZO forums.
The Zionist Congress resolves that:
1. Out of the obligation to respect the WZO Constitution (e.g. endorsement of "the Jerusalem Program"), it will not be permitted to grant voting rights in Zionist Congress elections to an individual member or a body which is not an individual member, to those who have not fulfilled all the conditions for WZO membership.
2. Each member of the World Zionist Organization whether individual or body, must honor the State symbols as they are specified in the Basic Law: The Nation: the flag, the State symbol, and the national anthem.
3. The Organization (Irgun) Department must ensure the implementation of this decision as far as possible.
The values of Zionism, in accordance with the constitution of the World Zionist Organization, advocate basic principles of justice, equality and democracy. We believe that the World Zionist Organization, which unites all the Zionist organizations, factions and bodies that represent the Jewish people, should strive for and bring equal representation of women in all of the institutions of the World Zionist Organization, including the Executive Committee, Congress representatives and all aspects of its management.
Whereas, in accordance with Article 2A of the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization (hereinafter: "the Constitution") it is declared that Zionism is a movement that advocates basic principles of justice, equality and democracy;
Whereas, the constitution states that the bodies, organizations and factions of the institutions of the World Zionist Organization must be comprised of at least thirty percent women;
Whereas, and despite the fact that women make up about fifty percent of the general population and despite the significant progress regarding gender equality in the 75 years of the State of Israel, women do not receive adequate and equal representation in the institutions of the World Zionist Organization;
Therefore, the extraordinary Zionist Congress resolves that:
The constitution of the World Zionist Organization will be amended as follows:
Wherever it is stipulated in this Constitution that 30% women must be appointed, it will be written, 40% women.
According to Article 41, Section 2 A (3), the Outer Executive shall comprise, inter alia:
“One representative from each territorial or inter-territorial Zionist organization represented in the Executive”
and, in addition, under Article 41, Section 2 B (3):
“Each and every member of the Outer Executive from the group defined under sub-paragraph (A) (3) above, shall be a representative from the Diaspora and/or a representative of the Young Generation, as defined in Article 23 above”,
with this applying irrespective of whether said Member of the Executive’s capacity on the same body is that of a representative from the Diaspora and/or as a representative of the Young Generation.
It is hereby proposed to determine that the provisions of Article 41, Section 2 B (3) shall not apply when the representative of the same body to the Executive under Article 41, Section 1 (d) is a representative of the Diaspora and/or a representative of the Young Generation.
Therefore, it is proposed to amend the Constitution by inserting the following words in said point of Article 41, Section 2 B (3):
“Excepting where the representative of a particular body to the Executive, under Article 41, Section 1 (d), is a representative of the Diaspora and/or a representative of the aforesaid Young Generation”.
And that Article 41, Section 2 B (3) be reformulated to read as follows:
“Each and every member of the Outer Executive from the group defined under subparagraph (A) (3) above, shall be a representative from the Diaspora and/or a representative of the Young Generation, as defined in Article 23 above, excepting where the representative of a particular body to the Executive, under Article 41, Section 1 (d) is a representative of the Diaspora and/or a representative of the Young Generation as stated above”.
