Frum and Right-Wing Blocs Secure Majority in World Zionist Congress
For the first time, a coalition of frum and right-wing slates has won a majority in the World Zionist Congress. The historic victory gives the religious bloc significant control over the allocation of over $1 billion in annual funding for Jewish institutions.
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The results of the 2025 World Zionist Congress elections are now official, confirming a dramatic and historic shift: for the first time, a coalition of frum and right-wing slates holds a majority in the American delegation.
This marks a pivotal moment in the history of the World Zionist Organization (WZO), the powerful body that allocates over $1 billion annually for Jewish education, settlement initiatives, and communal life in Israel and the Diaspora.
The election's certification followed months of disputes over fraudulent ballots, which were ultimately resolved by the American Zionist Movement’s election tribunal and the Zionist Supreme Court in Jerusalem. A record-breaking 224,969 valid votes were cast, the highest in history.
The new power dynamics show a significant rise in religious and right-wing influence. The frum-led lists, including Am Yisrael Chai (21 seats) and Eretz HaKodesh (19 seats), now hold a combined 40 seats. When joined with the Orthodox Israel Coalition–Mizrachi (18 seats), the religious bloc secures a powerful presence, an outcome unimaginable just a decade ago.
The shift in power came at the expense of centrist and progressive factions. The Reform movement's "Vote Reform" slate, while still the largest single faction with 33 seats, saw its representation drop. The Conservative movement’s Mercaz USA gained modestly to 19 seats, while progressive lists like Hatikvah lost strength.
Controversy also marked the election, with some slates facing disqualification. Despite the disputes, the final certified results confirm a new era for the WZO and a historic political victory for the frum and right-wing communities.