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Draft Resolutions

Committee No. 1 – Israel is Home

Working Languages: Hebrew / English

Interpretation: Russian

Chairperson: Danny Lamm

Committee Secretary: Yulia Sakin

No. 1.1

Presenters : Alex Selsky, Beytenu Olami

Title: Aliyah and Integration Terminology in the National Institutions

No. 1.2

Presenter : Brit Etz

Title: Promotion of Aliyah


Committee No. 2 – Education and Hebrew Language Instruction

Working Languages: Hebrew / English

Interpretation: Russian

Chairperson: Claudia De Benedetti

Committee Secretary: Inbal Barel

No. 2.1

Presenters : Liam Getreu, Ameinu, Australia

Title: Zionist Education for Future Generations (A)

No. 2.2

Presenters : The Zionist Executive

Title: Hebrew Language and Culture


Committee No. 3 – Mutual Responsibility

Working Languages: Hebrew / English

Interpretation: Russian

Chairperson: Avraham Elarar

Committee Secretary: Yaniv Nahmias

No. 3.1

Presenters : The Confederation

Title: Committee to recommend steps for inclusion of more voices within the Zionist Movement

No. 3.2

Presenters : Arzenu & World Union of Meretz

Title: The Unity of the Jewish People


Committee No. 4 – Antisemitism (Prevention of Renewed Escalation of Antisemitism)

Working Languages: Hebrew / English

Interpretation: Russian

Chairperson: Lea Muehlstein

Committee Secretary: Yaakov Aharoni

No. 4.1

Presenters : Kenneth Bob, U.S. delegate, Hatikvah Slate

Title: Combating Anti-Zionism on Campus

No. 4.2

Presenters : ZOA and World Likud

Title: Increased Efforts to Combat and Counteract Antisemitism, Demonization and BDS, including by Prioritizing and Promoting Aliyah, Educational Efforts and Other Measures


Committee No. 5 – Zionist Education for Future Generations

Working Languages: Hebrew / English

Interpretation: Russian

Chairperson: Silvia Kleinberg

Committee Secretary: Eran Berkowitz

No. 5.1

Presenters : Ilan Roth, Lavi Olami & Hazon (Vision)

Title: Decolonization of Jewish Identity

No. 5.2

Presenters : World Union of Meretz

Title: Engaging Unaffiliated Jewish Youth and Young Adults

No. 5.3

Presenters : Liberal Zionist Movement – Hanoar Hatzioni, Confederation of United Zionists, Arzenu, Brit Etz, World Likud, World Union of Meretz, Mizrachi Herut, MERCAZ Olami

Title: Empowering the Council of World Zionist Youth Movements and their Hagshama Movements


Draft Resolution Proposals on Amendment to the WZO Constitution & Regulations

Working Languages: Hebrew / English

No. A

Presenters: American Zionist Movement and Alan Silberman

Title: American Zionist Movement and Alan SilbermanAddition to Regulations regarding the Standing Com

No. B

Presenters: American Zionist Movement

Title: Amendment to Article 27

No. C

Presenters: Presidium of the Zionist General Council

Title: Establishing Rules for the Exclusion from the World Zionist Organization


Committee No. 1 – Israel is Home

1.1 Aliyah and Integration Terminology in the National Institutions

Submitted by Alex Selsky, Beytenu Olami

Whereas there is no standardization among the various units within the National Institutions addressing terminology in the sphere of Aliyah, and particularly in English which is the main operative language; and

Whereas some of these units employ the term “Immigration” (e.g.: Immigration to Israel) in reference to Aliyah or “immigrant”, to refer to an Oleh/Olah complemented by the national adjectival form for the country from which he or she has come on Aliyah (e.g.: Russian immigrant). This is a usage devoid of any Zionist or Jewish context and this conceptualization distorts the essence of the Aliyah process and is detrimental to the inherent Zionist and Jewish value of Aliyah. Moreover, it is detrimental to the self-identification of Olim, their motivation to make Aliyah and their successful integration in Israel; and

Whereas this term has a crucial impact on the development of personal identity, creation of narrative and social reality,

We propose:

  1. To discontinue usage of the term “Immigration” in reference to Aliyah throughout the National Institutions and their subsidiary companies. The definition of immigration applies when a person who is part of an ethnic national majority group immigrates to a country where he or she becomes part of an ethnic or national minority. The Aliyah process is completely opposite in that it refers to a Jew in the Diaspora who, qua Jew, is part of a minority in his or her country of residence and makes Aliyah to Israel, where he or she becomes part of the democratic, Jewish nation state.
  2. Instead of “Immigration” in the English, the Hebrew term “Aliyah” should be used – or, alternatively, “Repatriation”, in line with the accepted translation in Russian.
  3. Instead of “Absorption”, the term “Integration” should be employed.
  4. Any reference to Olim should refrain from referring to the national identity of the country from which they made Aliyah. This means discontinuing usage such as: “American / French / Russian / Argentinian / Ethiopian Oleh, etc.” and replacement by usage of: “Olim from the USA / France / Russia / Argentina / Ethiopia.”
  5. In the case of veteran Olim, reference should not use the adjectival form of the national identity of the country from which they made Aliyah. In other words, discontinuing usage such as: “American / French / Russian / Argentinian / Ethiopian, etc.” with replacement by usage of: “an Israeli who made Aliyah from the USA / France / Russia / Argentina / Ethiopia,” and so on. This usage of terminology not only serves to describe an identity in an accurate manner – it also expresses a recognition of the veteran Oleh’s Aliyah to Israel.
  6. One should be aware, sensitized and alert, whether in dialogue or written materials, to the need to refrain from referring to Olim (new or veteran) in terms of the national identity of their country of origin, from where they came on Aliyah – thus ensuring there is no negation or exclusion of their Israeli and Jewish identity. Similarly, Olim should not be termed “immigrants” – as if they had simply moved to any other country in the world, rather than the State of Israel. They should be defined in terms of the significance of Zionist Aliyah, this being the return of Jews to the Land of the Forefathers.
  7. o work to inculcate the above principles within every social organization engaged in Zionist and Jewish education, Aliyah and Integration, and activities with Diaspora Jewry.

1.2 Promotion of Aliyah

Submitted by Brit Etz – World Zionist Union of the Labor Zionist Movement

Whereas there is presently a perceptible resurgence in Aliyah and Return home among a number of Diaspora communities; and

Whereas the World Zionist Organization is responsible for Aliyah promotion, in general, and Aliyah by choice, in particular,

The Zionist Congress XXXVIII resolves:

To expand its activity significantly in the sphere of promoting Aliyah by choice;

To assist Zionist Federations in the establishment of community Aliyah committees;

To expand the Shlichut deployment system in this area;

To intensify coordination with the Jewish Agency Aliyah Department in all matters related to Aliyah promotion.


Committee No. 2 – Education and Hebrew Language Instruction

2.1 Zionist Education for Future Generations (A)

Submitted by Liam Getreu, Ameinu, Australia

Whereas:

  • The next generation of Zionists around the world are under-represented in global and local Zionist institutions; and
  • Political leaders in Israel and the Diaspora are often products of Zionist youth movements and student groups, which demonstrates their importance in leadership development around the Zionist world,

The Zionist Congress resolves that:

  • The World Zionist Organization shall convene a Zionist Youth Congress to bring together the best and brightest of the next generation of Zionist leadership around the world;
  • The Zionist Youth Congress shall be given additional representation at the Zionist Congress;
  • The Zionist Youth Congress shall be funded at a level necessary to function at the highest level and commensurate with its importance in the Zionist world;
  • The Zionist Youth Congress shall function in a manner that includes the historical Zionist youth movements but shall make extra effort to include and engage Zionist youth around the world who are unaffiliated with Zionist youth movements or other organizations formally affiliated with the World Zionist Organization.

2.2 Hebrew Language and Culture

Submitted by the Zionist Executive

Whereas the Hebrew language is the language of the Jewish people and, as such, a cornerstone of Jewish heritage and culture, and renewed Israeli experience; and

Whereas the revival of the Hebrew language constitutes one of the central components in the development of the Zionist movement and the fulfillment of the Zionist vision; and

Whereas knowledge of Hebrew is a fundamental component of Jewish identity and outreach to draw the younger generation closer to Jewish heritage and identification with the Jewish people and the State of Israel; and

Whereas the World Zionist Organization considers itself to be entrusted with the inculcation of the Zionist idea among the young generation in the Diaspora, and is therefore obligated to inculcate, strengthen and foster Hebrew language and culture,

Therefore, the Zionist Congress XXXVIII

  • Instructs the Zionist Executive to plan a comprehensive work program for Hebrew language and culture instruction across all sectors of the Jewish public in the Diaspora.
  • The work program shall be varied, contemporary and adapted for different age groups, especially the young generation.
  • The Zionist Executive shall work to implement this Resolution.

Committee No. 3 – Mutual Responsibility

3.1 Committee to recommend steps for inclusion of more voices within the Zionist Movement

Submitted on behalf of the Confederation

Whereas the Jewish people and the Zionist Movement are strengthened by the diversity of our stories, ethnicities, religious traditions, political viewpoints, and much more; and,

Whereas the Zionist movement can do more to include and represent the voices of Mizrahi Jews, Ethiopian Jews, Jews from the Former Soviet Union, Jews of color in the diaspora, and many other communities,

The Zionist Congress XXXVIII resolves,

  1. To establish a commission, which will report on where the Zionist movement can improve in its representation and inclusion of diverse Zionist communities, and recommend concrete steps to accomplish this goal.
  2. To invite Zionist organizations representing the above-mentioned communities and others to appoint a representative to the commission.

3.2 The Unity of the Jewish People

Submitted by Arzenuand World Union of Meretz

Whereas the strength of the Zionist Movement is inextricably linked to the strength and vitality of the Jewish people and Jewish communities in Israel and throughout the world; and

Whereas the unity of the Jewish people is one of the core foundations of Zionism as expressed by The Jerusalem Program; and Whereas The Jerusalem Program stresses the role of Zionism in nurturing mutual Jewish responsibility; and

Whereas The Jerusalem Program recognizes that the importance of mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people is firmly rooted in the foundations of Zionism,

Therefore, the Zionist Congress XXXVIII resolves:

To assure mutual respect for the diversity of voices within the Zionist Movement and therefore strengthen Zionism, the Zionist Congress hereby prohibits communications, materials and/or programs, which denigrate or demean other Zionist organizations and/or the individual members of other Zionist organizations, for reasons of differences in theology, ritual practice or nature of observance. Further, members of the World Zionist Organization shall not weaken the Zionist Movement by personal attacks against the leaders of other Zionist organizations for any of the reasons stated above. The World Zionist Organization deems violations of this provision to be violations of, non-adherence to, and rejection of The Jerusalem Program and will constitute grounds for suspension or dismissal from the WZO and the relevant local Zionist Federation.


Committee No. 4 – Antisemitism

4.1 Combating Anti-Zionism on Campus

Submitted by Kenneth Bob, U.S. delegate, Hatikvah Slate

Whereas Rose Ritch, a Jewish undergraduate at the University of Southern California resigned under pressure as Vice President of the Undergraduate Student Government following a campaign that featured denunciations of her support for Israel, including some with antisemitic overtones; and

Whereas not only was it clearly reprehensible for fellow students to attack her in this fashion, but the USC faculty and administration also erred by failing to condemn her mistreatment and close down the impeachment process altogether; and

Whereas Ritch is far from the only college student who has been harassed in recent years for their pro-Israel politics, her story is an important reminder that educational institutions should actively promote discussion about contentious issues like the Middle East. They should encourage students to become informed about the history and nature of Zionism, which, according to standard definitions, is the movement of the Jewish people for self-determination in a land or state of their own; and

Whereas the convergence of hostility to the State of Israel, rising campus intolerance, and social media harassment campaigns has created a toxic environment on some campuses—leading, as they did here, to violations of academic freedom and fair treatment. It is important that university administrators and faculty nationwide develop policies and the nerve to speak forcefully against the bullying, online or in person, based on political ideologies,

Therefore be it resolved by the Zionist Congress XXXVIII that:

The Education Department of the World Zionist Organization join with all United States Zionist Youth Movements, Hillels, J Street U and other organizations, to implement campus educational activities meant to combat the kind of anti-Zionist attacks suffered by Rose Ritch at the University of Southern California and students at other US colleges and universities.

4.2 Increased Efforts to Combat and Counteract Antisemitism, Demonization and BDS, including by Prioritizing and Promoting Aliyah, Educational Efforts and Other Measures

Submitted by the ZOA coalition and World Likud

Whereas Whereas Antisemitism, including anti-Jewish violence, demonization, and various forms of boycotts, divestment or sanctions campaigns (“BDS”) are continuing to dramatically increase in many communities throughout the world, and necessitate increased Aliyah and increased efforts to combat demonization, antisemitism and all forms of BDS,

Therefore, the Zionist Congress XXXVIII resolves:

That the World Zionist Organization, the Zionist General Council and the Inner and Outer Executiveshall (and shall recommend to our representatives in Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL), the Jewish Agency for Israel, and all Zionist Enterprises, the Zionist World Unions, and all other entities described in the WZO Constitution to), work to and allocate funds to:

  1. Increase efforts and urge governments around the world, and Israel’s national institutions, to increase their efforts to combat Antisemitism, the demonization of Israel, and all forms of BDS (including but not limited to “green line” boycotts or divestment), including by enacting and enforcing strong anti-BDS laws and policies, and civil rights protections for Jewish and pro-Israel students; and working to assure that BDS groups and other anti-Israel hate groups and NGOs are not given credibility by governmental and international bodies and the public;
  2. Expose, publicize and counteract the connections between terror organizations (such as the PFLP and Hamas) and BDS groups and other anti-Israel hate groups and NGOs, and foreign funding of such groups;
  3. Prevent efforts to partner with or bring BDS groups and other anti-Israel groups and NGOs into the WZO, the Zionist General Council and the Inner and Outer Executive, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL), the Jewish Agency for Israel, and all Zionist Enterprises, the Zionist World Unions, and all other entities described in the WZO Constitution;
  4. Promote continued strict enforcement of Israel’s anti-BDS laws (including by continuing to refuse entry to foreign government officials for propaganda trips to demonize Israel and promote BDS), thereby sending a vital message that Antisemitism and BDS are unacceptable;
  5. Continue to prioritize and increase funding for and promotion of Aliyah, as an emergency priority, above all non-emergency priorities;
  6. Establish Aliyah programs, including via Israel’s national institutions, to address and assist with the special needs of various Diaspora communities including, but not limited to, French Jewry, Russian-American Jews, other Russian Jews, South American Jews, and Persian Jewish communities throughout the world;
  7. Facilitate the successful Aliyah of Russian-American Jews in the Jewish heartland, that will also be open to all Zionists, religious and secular, from any background;
  8. Establish a new Persian-Jewish community in Israel to facilitate the successful Aliyah of Persian Jews in Israel, that will also be open to all Zionists, from any background; and
  9. Establish and increase educational efforts to counteract the demonization of Israel; including positive Jewish and Zionist education programs to educate governments, legal bodies, academia, media, and the general public about Israel’s religious, moral, legal and historical rights over the Land of Israel, including Judea and Samaria, including under binding international law (i.e., the San Remo resolution, League of Nations Covenant – Article 22, British Mandate, the Anglo-American Convention, and UN Charter Article 80);
  10. Establish an educational review committee to eliminate or revamp educational programs that demonize or condemn Israel or the Jewish people;
  11. Establish and increase educational programs geared towards Russian Jewish youth, and other youth who are at risk of being influenced by anti-Zionist and anti-Jewish groups; and
  12. Promote investments past the green line, to assist with the Jewish people’s security, religious and Aliyah needs, in this dangerous era of increasing worldwide Antisemitism.


Committee No. 5 – Zionist Education

5.1 Decolonization of Jewish Identity

Submitted by Ilan Roth, Lavie Olami and Hazon (Vision)

Whereas the Zionist movement succeeded in restoring Jewish national consciousness and achieving material liberation for the Jewish people that created favorable conditions for the attainment of ideological liberation; and Whereas Israeli society, over seven decades after achieving political independence, continues to struggle with questions of national identity and what a Jewish nation-state should look like in the 21st century; and

Whereas an overwhelming number of Diaspora Jews reduce Jewish identity to a religious identity devoid of any national or territorial components; and

Whereas this reduction of Jewish identity has fostered alienation of Diaspora Jews from the people of Israel currently participating in the project of rebuilding Hebrew civilization in our land; and

Whereas an entire postcolonial discourse has been created to assist colonized peoples in pursuing a course of collective healing and decolonization; and

Whereas this postcolonial discourse, which has been applied primarily to colonized peoples in their own lands, has yet to be employed in the service of the Jewish people that was taken out of our land and suffered internal colonization in the lands of our oppressors for almost two thousand years before ultimately returning home and attaining material liberation through the restoration of Jewish self-determination,

Therefore, the Zionist Congress XXXVIII hereby resolves that:

The Zionist General Council shall call on the World Zionist Organization and all of the relevant National Institutions to provide financial resources and support to organizations and societies on university campuses, as well as initiatives for Jewish young professionals in the State of Israel and in the Diaspora, that provide programs and workshops for the application of post-colonial tools and methods to issues of Jewish identity and national consciousness.

5.2 Engaging Unaffiliated Jewish Youth and Young Adults

Submitted by by the World Union of Meretz

Whereas

  • The connection of Jewish youth in the Diaspora to existing Jewish organizations, institutions and youth movements is slight;
  • Zionist youth have long been well-organized, educated and inclusive;
  • Programs and organizations outside the framework of Jewish student unions continue to educate primarily toward Zionism;
  • Recognizing that Zionist youth groups reach a minority of young people in the Diaspora and that the majority of those unaffiliated are secular Jews,

The Zionist Congress resolves that:

  • An organization should be established and funded in order to engage unaffiliated Jewish youth in the Diaspora interested in connection with the Jewish people and Zionism.
  • To encourage the Hagshama Department to focus on unaffiliated youth through the development of programs and cultural centers that engage that large segment of Jewish youth in the Diaspora.

5.3 Empowering the Council of World Zionist Youth Movements and their Hagshama Movements

Submitted by the Liberal Zionist Movement – Hanoar Hatzioni, the Confederation of United Zionists, Arzenu, Brit Etz – the World Zionist Union of the Labor Zionist Movement, World Likud, World Union of Meretz, Mizrachi Herut, MERCAZ Olami

Whereas the Council of World Zionist Youth Movements and the Hagshama Movements serve as a bridge between youth and young adults both in Israel and outside of Israel; and

Whereas investing now in future Zionist leadership ensures the long-term continuity of the Jewish community's relationship with the State of Israel; and

Whereas educating about Zionism is a must in order to develop young leaders,

Therefore, the Zionist Congress resolves:

To increase and empower the support and professional guidance of all the World Zionist Youth Movements, by providing the financial aid and other help, as needed, to ensure their empowerment and growth.

It is resolved that the goal will be to create stronger ties and bonds between the National Institutions for this purpose.

It is resolved that there will be full synchronization between all the different professional bodies in the World Zionist Organization, needed to fulfil this goal.


Committee on Constitutional Amendments

A. Addition to Regulations regarding the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance (Article 30A)

Submitted by the American Zionist Movementand Alan Silberman

Whereas in order to implement and give meaning to the principle that “Israel and those living outside of Israel are responsible for one another” it is important for all members of the WZO Standing Committee Budget and Finance to have an effective means of providing comment and expressing concern with regard to the WZO Budget,

The following addition to Regulations Regarding the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance (Article 30A) is adopted:

Section 1

The General Council shall establish a Standing Committee on Budget and Finance, authorized to act in accordance with Article 30A and to express its views on budgetary and financial matters that are referred to it. Subject to the limitation set forth below, the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance has the power to accept, reject or amend any sub-budgets, budget lines or financial undertakings within a budget that comes before it for consideration. The Committee may not, in any instance, take decisions that are inconsistent with, override or otherwise derogate decisions of the Congress that are in effect, or prevent the implementation of such Congress decisions.

Section 2

If the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance rejects any budget or financial undertakings within a budget, it may adopt a proposed amendment to accompany such rejection, which must be forwarded to the Executive for consideration. Any item rejected that is thereafter modified by the Executive shall be returned to the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance for its consideration.

Section 3

The Executive, or any other body or individual authorized or required to present a proposed budget or financial undertaking to the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance, shall present each such proposal to the Committee, in Hebrew and English, no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting at which the proposal is to be considered. If this requirement is not met, the Committee shall delay its meeting so that it has at least fifteen (15) days to consider the proposal, unless such requirement is waived by vote of the Committee.

Section 4

Meetings of the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance shall be scheduled and conducted in order to allow members who do not reside in Israel and may not be fluent in Hebrew to participate effectively in the meeting.

Section 5

No budget or financial expenditure that is not consistent with the principles instructed by the Congress or the General Council shall be approved by the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance, except that when extraordinary circumstances are present, such principles may be amended by a request made by at least two-thirds of the Committee, endorsed by a vote of a majority of the General Council, which may occur in person, by mail, electronic mail, phone or any combination of these methods.

Section 6

The Standing Committee on Budget and Finance shall have two Co-chairs, one of whom shall reside outside of Israel. Each of the Co-Chairs shall represent a different faction or World Union. With approval of the Expanded Executive, the Co-Chairs may establish a sub-committee of no less than six nor more than 10 persons to consult with them and the WZO staff regarding matters of budget and finance in periods between meetings of the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance. The sub-committee shall consist of the two co-chairs, and others that are fairly representative of the factions and organizations in the General Council. Staff involved in matters of budget and finance shall be invited to participate in meetings of the sub-committee.

Section 7

In order to have meetings of the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance proceed efficiently, proposals to amend a budget or budget item submitted to the Committee must be sent to the Co-Chairs of the Committee at least two days in advance and, after introduced, shall only be continued on the agenda for further discussion when it appears to the co-Chairs that at least twenty percent (20%) of the Committee members present indicate that the subject is worthy of discussion.

B. Article 27

Submitted by the American Zionist Movement

Whereas Article 27 of the World Zionist Organization Constitution deals with the election by the Zionist Congress of various positions, paid and voluntary, in the National Institutions; and

Whereas the National Institutions are the roundtable of the Jewish people, around which sit Jewish women and men from Israel and the Diaspora and conduct discourse of the greatest importance about the present and future of the Jewish people and of the State of Israel; and

Whereas the fine reputation of National Institutions over many years is a fundamental and significant asset; and

Whereas the National Institutions were given management of extensive resources of the Jewish people, these resources must be managed with impeccable transparency and accuracy,

A proposal to amend the Constitution as follows is hereby submitted:

Article 27

A. The Zionist Congress shall not elect any person who has been convicted by final verdict in a final ruling in a Court of Law of any crime, which the Court has ruled to be of moral turpitude, or where less than seven years have elapsed since the completion of serving his/her sentence of an offense committed during public service and in connection with his/her public service, regardless of whether or not the offense for which he/she was convicted involves moral turpitude.

B. The appointment shall be terminated immediately of any person an individual elected by the Zionist Congress to serve in such aforementioned position, and who has been convicted for any crime which the Court has ruled to be of moral turpitude of an offense he/she committed during public service and in connection with it.

C. Establishing Rules for Exclusion from the World Zionist Organization

Submitted on behalf of the Presidium of the Zionist General Council

Whereas the Zionist movement’s strength is directly impacted by its ability to bring together the broadest-based and largest sectors possible of the Jewish people in joint endeavor; and

Whereas from time to time, under various auspices of the Zionist movement, a range of resolutions of one type or another have been passed calling for the exclusion of one or other entity or body from the Zionist movement; and

Whereas the process of exclusion from the Zionist movement is one of serious consequence and has not hereto been regulated in the WZO Constitution or the Regulations for its Implementation,

The Zionist Congress XXXVIII hereby resolves:

Without detriment to provisions presently in force in the matter of the Zionist Federations’ and inter-territorial Zionist Organizations’ membership in the World Zionist Organization: not to take any steps or initiative to exclude any entity or body from the Zionist movement – other than by means of a process that shall be determined in compliance with the provisions of the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization and the Regulations for its Implementation.

The Executive is called to act promptly to implement this Resolution.

This Resolution shall remain in force for a period of 24 months.