Zionism at the crossroads: internal divides dominate global congress

The 39th World Zionist Congress, held recently in Jerusalem, delivered a stark and at times volatile demonstration of the deep ideological fractures now running through global Zionism. 

 Set against the harrowing backdrop of the ongoing conflict and the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza following the October 7 attacks, the gathering laid bare the tension between external defense and internal ethical deliberation. 

Day One opened with Israeli President Isaac Herzog offering a staunch, uncompromising defence of Zionism in the face of escalating global criticism, including the coining of the derogatory term "Zios." He asserted that “These Zios are the finest of human beings,” who returned to their ancestral homeland to build a "Jewish, democratic, life-affirming and peace-seeking state." His concluding, emphatic declaration "We are proud of our Zionism and we will never forsake it... Am Yisrael Chai!" strongly resonated with the Orthodox and religious Zionist delegates. 

However, the President's focus on external threats and chest thumping felt insufficient to some progressive delegates who were looking for more soul searching and introspection at this time of such trauma for the Jewish people.  

The second day brought a significant victory for the more liberal wing. A crucial resolution, submitted by the Union of Progressive Zionism (UPZ) in partnership with Hatikvah Australia, proposed prohibiting the World Zionist Organization from financing settlements in the Gaza Strip, either directly or indirectly. 

The resolution passed with a clear majority: 300 votes in favor to 242 votes against.