Rabbi Pesach Lerner's battle for tradition
When last week’s agreement dividing up portfolios within the World Zionist Organization (WZO) and its constituent bodies — Keren Hayesod, Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael, the Jewish National Fund, and the Jewish Agency — was finally signed, it was no easy slicing of the pie. Because for the first time, WZO’s decisive balance of power was now held by 25 US delegates on the Eretz HaKodesh slate, a first-time slate representing the American chareidi and right-wing modern Orthodox communities.
Most of the leading positions went to members of the right-wing and religious coalition, which prevailed in the election of delegates to the WZO concluding on March 11. The headline in the Jerusalem Post read: “Shift in power in WZO elections from progressive Left to religious Right.”
In the tense negotiations preceding the signing, the decisive balance of power was held by 25 US delegates on the Eretz HaKodesh slate, out of 521 delegates to the World Zionist Congress, which takes place every five years.
Under the terms of the agreement, Yosef Hagoel of Likud will take the reins of WZO executive and Avraham Duvdevani will head Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael. Both are shomer Shabbos Jews.
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