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.
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