Zionist youth movement sought to delegitimise Board of Deputies at World Zionist Congress

Jonathan Weiss, a spokesman for Betar, claimed: “Those who advocate for a two-state solution, undermine Israel’s borders, or attack its elected leadership cannot present themselves as defenders of the Jewish state.”

Referring to the controversial visit of far-right agitator Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, to Israel earlier this month – a trip supported by Betar and Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli – Weiss continued: “Betar, one of the oldest and most influential Zionist movements, proudly supported Tommy Robinson’s recent visit, during which he met with numerous ministers, lawmakers, and national figures. We stand firmly with those who stand firmly with Israel.

“The reality is clear. In Israel, the nationalist camp leads with strength and clarity. Unfortunately, parts of the British Jewish establishment today oppose Israel’s democratically elected government and work against its core security interests. We will continue to champion Zionism without apology.”

The criticism of the Board follows similar remarks made by Chikli and Robinson after the Board denounced Robinson’s invitation to Israel, labelling him a “thug” who “represents the worst of Britain”.

Chikli accused the UK’s Jewish body of being “openly aligned with left-wing, woke, pro-Palestinian parties” and “politically adrift”, while Robinson claimed the organisation was “attacking me because they’re political establishment figures,” arguing that Jews who had condemned him work for British media institutions.

The 39th World Zionist Congress opened this week, with delegates arriving on Tuesday at the purpose-built National Institutions Building in Jerusalem.

Delegates from the UK and Ireland are among the 543 representatives from 42 countries for the Congress – dubbed the “parliament of the Jewish people” – which takes place once every five years.

In the UK, which has 19 delegates, WZO elections saw right-wing Orthodox and left-wing Progressive slates make significant gains and the Zionist centre collapse.

Around 300,000 Jews participated in the WZO elections across the world this year, the highest turnout on record, with more than 10,000 votes cast in the UK. It was the first election held in the UK in 20 years, participating groups having previously reached an agreement on the division of delegates that obviated the need for elections.

The Charedi faction Eretz Hakodesh, which only joined the WZO for the first time in 2020, has strengthened its presence at this year’s congress. Its participation is a notable shift, as strictly Orthodox groups have historically rejected Zionism.

There had been evidence of voting fraud in the US and allegations of irregularities in the UK, with Eretz Hakodesh initially being disqualified from sending delegates from the UK – the ban was subsequently overturned. 

Internationally, the split between elected liberal and right-wing or Orthodox slates is even, so a coalition agreement at the Congress is expected, according to an official source.

Delegates will take part in the meeting in Hebrew, English and Spanish, and will elect leadership for key institutions and determine the allocation of a large amount of funding.

One of the congress’s main tasks will be to decide who will head the WZO’s departments and determine the organisation’s representation on related bodies – the Jewish Agency, the Jewish National Fund (JNF), and Keren Hayesod (the United Israel Appeal). Together, these organisations have an annual budget of around £750 million.

Different slates have tabled motions on a range of issues, including access to egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall, extending Israeli sovereignty over the Temple Mount, halting the settlement project in the E1 area, promoting modern Hebrew, supporting Holocaust survivors, and combating antisemitism in educational settings.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly declined an invitation to the congress, while President Isaac Herzog is expected to attend.