Once in a generation chance to shape global Jewish life

For the first time in a generation, Australian Jews have a real vote in shaping the future of Israel and global Jewish life.

Through World Zionist Congress elections being held until July 27, our community will help decide how more than US $5 billion is spent, and whether that funding supports pluralism, human rights, and the peace process, or religious fundamentalism and settlement expansion.

At a time when many feel powerless to influence events in Israel, this election is a rare and powerful opportunity for diaspora Jews to make a difference.

Commonly referred to as the parliament of the Jewish people, the WZC convenes over 500 delegates every four to five years to decide the future direction of Zionism.

At the Congress, delegates allocate an annual budget, elect the leadership of Israel’s National Institutions – the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), Jewish Agency, World Zionist Organization (WZO), and Keren Hayesod – and vote on resolutions surrounding key political and moral questions facing the Jewish world.

The WZC plays a vital role in resourcing Jewish education, democratic infrastructure, youth movements (including in Australia), civil society, gender equality initiatives, LGBTQIA+ protections, environmental sustainability, and efforts to combat antisemitism.

It remains the only democratic platform through which diaspora Jews can influence Israeli policy and institutional leadership, a role that has become critical as consecutive governments have shifted sharply rightward while global Jewry continues to be more diverse and pluralistic.

For example, due to the past electoral strength of the Reform movement (ARZA), the WZC allocated funding to the Israel Religious Action Center, enabling a series of landmark legal victories in Israel. These include securing adoption rights for same-sex couples, challenging discriminatory practices against Arab taxi drivers, disqualifying extremist Kahanist candidates from Knesset elections, and achieving recognition of non-Orthodox conversions in Israel. ARZA has also used its positions within the JNF, earned through WZC elections, to block planned settlement expansions.

Today, the influence of progressive and pluralist voices in the WZC is under threat.

In 2020, a surprise campaign in the United States by the newly formed ultra-Orthodox party Eretz Hakodesh had a radical result on the previous congress, enabling the majority coalition to become composed entirely of religious and right-wing parties for the first time since Theodor Herzl established the World Zionist Organisation in 1897.

This year’s American WZC election has also been marred by controversy, including allegations of widespread voter fraud. One ultra-Orthodox party has already been disqualified, and others are facing heavy penalties including the potential exclusion of votes. While the final results are being withheld pending investigation, preliminary counts before fraudulent votes have been removed indicate a tight race, with a slim conservative religious majority looking likely.

As a result, smaller elections around the world now have the potential to affect the balance of power in the WZC. One vote cast in Australia could determine whether the next Congress is controlled by a far-right or centre-left majority.

Notably, the last WZC election in Australia was held in 2006, and the one before that about 30 years ago.

Local Zionist political parties have traditionally agreed on how to divide the country’s 13 mandates based on proportional membership, ensuring that the delegation reflected the diversity of the Australian Jewish community.

This year, however, that process has broken down. Eretz Hakodesh has entered the Australian race and refused to negotiate. Under WZO rules, when no agreement is reached, a public election must be held.

Five groups are contesting the Australian election:

Each party is running a list of up to 13 candidates. Full candidate lists and party summaries can be found on the official voting website.

Any Jewish adult permanently residing in Australia is eligible to vote, provided they have not voted in the most recent Israeli national election or another WZC election.

To cast an online ballot, voters must affirm their support for the Jerusalem Program (the WZO’s definition of Zionism) and pay a $5 registration fee to cover administrative costs and prevent fraud.

With the click of a button, Jews in Australia have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of Israel and the global Jewish people. The community’s participation is essential to ensure that pluralism, democracy, and peace remain at the forefront of Jewish life. If ordinary Australian Jews do not vote, that leaves the door open for extremists and religious fundamentalists to win.

The future of the Jewish people is in our hands now. It is up to us to ensure it is one we can be proud of.

Click here to cast your vote from July 1 to 27.

Avishai Conyer is a deputy delegate candidate for the ARZA-Masorti ticket.