Yaakov Hagoel serves as chairman of the World Zionist Organization.
Between the dates 07/07/2021-08/20/2022, 27th of Tammuz 5781 – 23th of Av 5782, Hagoel served as acting chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Up until 2020, Hagoel served as vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization and head of the Department of Activities in Israel and Countering Antisemitism.
He also served as chairman of the World Likud and as director general of the World Betar movement. Hagoel additionally holds an L.L.B. in law.
Prior to his military service, Hagoel volunteered for a year of national service in Ofakim and then joined Garin Nachal in the army. After completing his service, he joined the reserve forces in the Gaza Division. Hagoel spent his youth with the World Betar Movement as a mentor and slowly climbed up the ladder, eventually serving as the chairman of the organization. He served as Chairman of the Council of the World Zionist Youth Movement, is a member of the presidency of the Zionist General Council and a member of the Finance Committee of the World Zionist Organization.
Hagoel is a member of the Board of Trustees and a member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Agency. In addition, Hagoel serves as a board member of Keren Hayesod, a member of the board of directors of Anu - the Jewish People's Museum, a member of the Board of Trustees of Ariel University, a board member of the Claims Conference - the Jewish Material Claims Conference against Germany, a member of Yad Vashem, a member of the National Council for Planning and Construction and a member of the Subcommittee for Principled Planning.
Hagoel's activities in his role in the World Zionist Organization are extensive. After being elected to the position of Head of the Department of Activities in Israel and Countering Antisemitism.
in 2010, at the 35th Zionist Congress, Hagoel led protests, lectures, and conferences to fight anti-Semitism around the world. Hagoel also initiated the Zionism and Heritage Quiz for families. As a part of his role, he was responsible for the Zionist Council of Israel, the Bialik Publishing House, the Central Zionist Archive, and the Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive. In July 2017, Hagoel initiated and led the amendment to the Benjamin Ze’ev Herzl Law in the Knesset, according to which the state will participate in funding the day-to-day activities of the Herzl Museum and the Herzl Center, their day-to-day maintenance, training activities, and other activities carried out by the World Zionist Organization on Mount Herzl.
On October 22, 2020, the 4th of Cheshvan 5781, at the 38th Zionist Congress, Hagoel was elected as Chairman of the World Zionist Organization - Chairman of the Zionist Executive.
On July 7, 2021, the 27th of Tammuz 5781, Hagoel was elected by the Jewish Agency's management to serve as acting chairman of the Jewish Agency. Hagoel replaced Isaac Herzog who previously served as the chairman until he was elected to be the President of Israel. Hagoel served in this capacity until August 21st 2022, the 24th of Av 5782, when Doron Almog took over.
Yaakov Hagoel's words upon his entry as chairman of the World Zionist Organization
