Published: 7 July 2025
Last updated: 8 July 2025
Please note: Avishai Conyer is a regular TJI contributor and deputy delegate candidate for the ARZA-Masorti ticket. The Jewish Independent does not endorse the views of or encourage readers to vote for any particular ticket.
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. 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.
What is the World Zionist Congress (WZC)?
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.
Why is this election happening now?
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.
When was the last time Australians got to vote?
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.
Who is running in Australia’s WZC elections?
Five groups are contesting the Australian election:
- ARZA-Masorti: A coalition of Progressive and Masorti Jews advocating for pluralism, democracy, and a secure Israel that embraces human rights and a just peace process.
- Eretz Hakodesh: A Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) party advocating for greater religious authority in Israeli institutions.
- Hatikvah: A joint list made up of diverse groups committed to pluralism, inclusivity, social justice in Israel and general progressive political reform.
- Mizrachi: A Religious Zionist party aligned with the Modern Orthodox community, supporting a halachic framework for Jewish life in Israel.
- Likud: The Australian branch of Israel’s ruling right-wing party, advocating nationalist policies and supporting settlement expansion.
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.
Who is eligible to vote?
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 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.
Comments6
Eric Lundberg10 July at 01:53 am
Is Hatikvah a ‘diverse group’?
It is the joint slate of Ameinu and Meretz and is indeed a political party slate with all that involves.
Its delegates will sit at the World Zionist Congress as Ameinu or Meretz. It is important to know who you are voting for.
Larry Lockshin9 July at 05:52 am
The article is a fair and open summary of the historical basis for the election, how it works, and what the different slates stand for. The descriptions of the slates are short but there is a link to the full platforms for more detail. ARZA-Masorti are liberal religious organisations, while Hatikvah is avowedly secular. Both work for human rights and equality in Israel, but ARZA-Masorti has long standing support and action for religious equality and supports key NGOs championing this for many decades.
Eric Lundberg9 July at 05:35 am
this article has been edited to change the description of the Hatikvah (Ameinu and Meretz) slate to be quite inaccurate. It now says: “Hatikvah: A joint list made up of diverse groups committed to pluralism, inclusivity, social justice in Israel and general progressive political reform.” That is not what the original article said and this statement is inaccurate. Hatikvah is simply Ameinu and Meretz candidates standing under the name Hatikvah. What ‘diverse groups’? The candidates if elected will attend as delegates of Ameinu and Meretz. In other words the Labor and Meretz parties or, as they are amalgamated, presumably Democrats(?). This is, of course, the rump of what were once the parties of the Left in Israel. The editing of this article is in my opinion a disappointing acquiescence to pressure from Hatikvah.
Naomi9 July at 05:01 am
Guy and Leon – Your comments seem petty. The author’s role is clear at the start so any reader would understand that. There were hardly more words used to describe one slate vs another. I see the message here being that every Jewish Australian should vote – and implied in that is that it be an informed vote. All links have been provided so everyone can do that.
Guy G8 July at 07:59 am
What a disappointing and unacceptable journalism. The article strongly favoured the writer’s own slate. Even more troubling, the author didn’t seek input or provide fair coverage of the other slates. Readers deserve balanced reporting and basic integrity.
Leon Orbach8 July at 07:47 am
Shame the author didn’t actually ask anyone in Hatikvah Australia what characterises our group. A quick look at our home page would have revealed that in fact we stand for ….
* Rebuilding Communities Affected by October 7th and the Ongoing Multi-front War
* Restoring Israel’s Pluralistic Democracy
* Building the Next Generation of Jewish and Israeli Leadership in Australia
* Fight for Equality and Inclusion and Embrace Cultural and Religious Pluralism