In a historic and potentially transformative moment for global Jewry, the preliminary results of the 2025 World Zionist Organization (WZO) elections reveal a seismic shift in Jewish representation and priorities: For the first time in history, Orthodox-affiliated slates have collectively achieved a majority in the WZO. Leading this groundswell is Eretz HaKodesh, which has surged to a commanding position with 29,159 votes.
The WZO elections serve as a democratic vehicle by which Jews from across the globe can influence key decisions affecting Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora. With funding power of over $1 billion annually and influence over key Zionist institutions such as the Jewish Agency, Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael (JNF), and Keren Hayesod, the composition of the WZO has far-reaching implications.
Eretz HaKodesh’s preliminary showing—29,159 votes—is nothing short of groundbreaking. Launched only a few years ago to give authentic Torah Jews a voice in the Zionist establishment, the slate has now catapulted to one of the leading positions in the entire election, outpacing MERCAZ USA (27,893), the slate of the Conservative movement, and gaining just behind Am Yisrael Chai (31,765), which draws from a broad base of Modern Orthodox and traditional voters.
“This is a moment of kiddush Hashem,” an Eretz HaKodesh activist said. “We entered this space to protect the kedushah and mesorah of Eretz Yisrael. These results prove that the Torah community is ready to stand up and be counted, not only in the beis medrash but also in shaping the institutions that impact the soul of our nation.”
An all-time record 230,257 votes were recorded in the election for United States delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress, according to the preliminary results.
The preliminary results released today confirm that participation in the 2025 election, which took place from March 10-May 4, 2025, marked an over 86% increase from the 123,575 votes in the most recent U.S. election in 2020. In this year’s election, 224,237 valid votes were cast online, and 6,020 valid votes were mailed in via paper ballots. AZM released the initial results following the completion of tabulation of all paper ballots this week and decisions of the Area Election Committee (AEC), which oversees the election process, at its meeting today.
The 152 delegates elected from the U.S. — amounting to approximately one-third of the 525 Congress delegates — will join others from around the world to make key decisions regarding the allocation of over $1 billion annually in support of Israel and world Jewry.
Together with ORTHODOX ISRAEL COALITION – MIZRACHI (26,975 votes), SHAS (2,658), and other Orthodox-aligned lists such as Achdut Israel (1,592), the Orthodox camp now holds a clear and unprecedented majority within the WZO. This development could dramatically alter the ideological makeup of key Zionist institutions and redirect funding toward religious education, aliyah efforts for Torah communities, and traditional Jewish identity initiatives.
“This is the first time in history that Orthodox slates together make up the majority of the WZO,” said an insider. “This marks a new era.”
Preliminary Vote Breakdown
The full preliminary vote tally is as follows:
- VOTE REFORM – 47,887
- Am Yisrael Chai – 31,765
- Eretz HaKodesh – 29,159
- MERCAZ USA (Conservative Movement) – 27,893
- ORTHODOX ISRAEL COALITION (MIZRACHI) – 26,975
- HATIKVAH (Progressive Slate) – 11,537
- ZOA Coalition – 8,511
- Aish Ha’am – 6,649
- VISION – 6,201
- Israeli American Council (IAC) – 5,344
- Kol Israel – 5,314
- AID Coalition (Americans for Israel Democracy) – 4,880
- Beyachad – TOGETHER FOR ISRAEL – 3,238
- SHAS – 2,658
- Israel365 Action – 2,339
- Dorshei Torah V’Tzion – 1,946
- The Jewish Future – Centrist Liberal Zionism – 1,794
- Achdut Israel – 1,592
- American Forum for Israel – 1,539
- ANU: A New Union – 1,509
- Herut North America – 1,109
- Americans 4 Israel: Strength Through Unity – 385
“The Torah world can no longer afford to be passive,” said one activist. “The future of klal Yisroel, the identity of Eretz Yisrael, and the soul of our people depend on who sits at the table. Baruch Hashem, we now have a seat—and we intend to use it.”
{Matzav.com}
No no no no!!!
Some of the worst writing and editing ever. Please please don’t write stupidity so ask not to give ammunition to the people who claim we don’t get a proper education! A PLURALITY IS NOT A MAJORITY. A majority means over 50%. A plurality means the largest group but less than 50% of the total. Duh.
They undoubtedly did well but did not get 51% and therefore have a plurality not a majority. There is a huge difference.
Isnt Am Yisrael Chai Orthodox too? Didnt Rabbi Lerner also start it? And dint they techincally have a leading percentage of like 38% 5 years ago too? What changed?
1)Yes
2)No
3) Yes, the % of the vote that went to EH dropped. The Orthodox Israel Coalition – Mizrachi received 17.6% of the vote in 2020 and 11.7% in this election, a 33% reduction. Eretz HaKodesh slate also lost nearly 22% of its share of the vote, getting 16.2% in 2020 and 12.7% now.
Ex
Putting Dorshei Torah V’Tzion in the Orthodox camp is very generous.
Yumi O:
Did we read the same post? There is a coalition of parties that subscribe to Orthodox values. This combination of parties holds a majority. I didn’t take out my calculator, but that’s the message.
Don’t bother posting anything against on WZO as all negative posts are automatically deleted.
Yes. I had a similar experience. The little immature kinderlach that run Matzav are hypocrites thru and thru.
You’re so right. Remember when they censored comments from those who tried to save yidden from the death shots? Look how many yidden have been murdered because alol Jewish sites censored the truth. They all have blood on their hands.
Alright, let’s not get carried away now.
Unclear if these are the total results or just the results for the American delegates. If it’s just for the American delegates, how is that a majority of the 525 total delegates?