The 39th World Zionist Congress has overwhelmingly elected the new leadership of the World Zionist Organization:  Rabbi Doron Perez and Yaakov Hagoel were chosen to serve as chairmen of the Zionist Executive, each for half a term.

 

After an election process that lasted about a year across the world and in Israel, the leadership of the World Zionist Organization (WZO) was elected. By a large majority of 480 votes in favor, 14 against, and 5 abstentions,  Rabbi Doron Perez and Yaakov Hagoel were elected as chairmen of the executive, each serving for half a term. Dr. Yizhar Hess was elected as deputy and acting chairman.

 

 

 

 

Rabbi Doron Perez, 55, was born in South Africa. He is the chairman of the World Mizrachi Movement, a member of the WZO Executive, head of the Department for Spiritual Services in the Diaspora, and a member of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency for Israel.

  

He lost his son, IDF hero Captain Daniel Perez z”l, in the “Swords of Iron” War. Daniel was killed and abducted to Gaza, and his body was brought to burial in recent weeks.

Yaakov Hagoel, 54, was born in Israel. He currently serves as chairman of the World Zionist Organization. Previously, he was deputy chairman of the Zionist Executive, head of the Department for Israel and Combating Antisemitism, and Chairman of the World Betar Movement. He also served as acting chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel between 2021 and 2022.

 

The elections in the diaspora for the World Zionist Congress reached a record number of votes, with approximately 265,000 Jews expressing their commitment to the future of the Jewish People, the State of Israel, and the strengthening of Israel- Diaspora relations.

 

The World Zionist Congress is considered the supreme legislative and decision-making body of the World Zionist Organization — a kind of "global Jewish parliament.” It serves as the central platform for setting the movement’s policies, strengthening the bond between Israel and the Diaspora, and promoting Zionist values in the 21st century.

 

 

 

www.facebook.com/WZOhebrew/

 

Photo credit — Yaakov Hagoel: Oz Schechter

Photo credit — Rabbi Doron Perez: Courtesy