Resolutions

of the

Zionist General Council XXXVI/4 ‏

Jerusalem, 4-6.11.0213

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RESOLUTIONs of The Zionist General Council Session XXXVI/4 Young People, , , and Everything in Between Table of Contents

No. Title Page Lack of Involvement and Impact of the World Zionist Organization on Jewish Agency Programs 1.1 1 in Israel for Young People from the Diaspora

1.2 Call by the Young Generation for Recognition of and Support for all Major Streams of Judaism 1

1.3 Call by the Young Generation to Adopt the Sharansky Kotel Proposal 1-2

1.4 Call by the Young Generation to Adopt a Program to Fight Racism 2

1.5 Call by the Young Generation for Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Divorce 3

1.6 The Development of Young Leadership 3

1.7 Encouraging among the Young Generation 4

1.8 Reinforcing among the Young Generation 4

1.9 Encouragement of Youth towards Zionist Activity (Youth Congress) 4

1.10 Reinforcement of Zionist Identity among the Young Generation 5

11 Funding Income for the WZO 5

12 Internal Changes to Approved Budget Lines 6

13 France 6

14 Constitutional Amendment: Budget of The World Zionist Organization 7

15 Elections 7-8

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21 3 1. Lack of Involvement and Impact of the World Zionist Organization on 4 Jewish Agency Programs in Israel for Young People from the Diaspora 5 6 Whereas the Zionist General Council 36/4 expresses its deepest concern on the absence of 7 involvement and significant impact by the Zionist movement on Jewish Agency programs to 8 organize and bring to Israel large numbers of young people from the Diaspora (Birthright Israel, 9 etc.); and 10 Whereas the Zionist movement and its branches in the Diaspora are not involved and not 11 partners in the cultural and educational activity of the graduates of the said Jewish Agency 12 programs, 13 The Zionist General Council 36/4 resolves: 14 To charge the Presidium of the Zionist General Council and the Executive to hold a substantial 15 discussion very soon about the status and impact of the World Zionist Organization upon Jewish 16 Agency programs to bring young people from the Diaspora to Israel, and to present its 17 recommendations with a period of 60 days. 18 19 2. Call by the Young Generation for Recognition of and 20 Support for all the Major Streams 21 22 Whereas the Young Generation believes that Israel’s Declaration of Independence is an 23 inspirational document that describes the aspirations and hopes of a democratic and inclusive 24 people; and 25 26 Whereas we believe that the task of implementing those aspirations and hopes remains 27 incomplete, 28 29 Therefore be it resolved: 30 31 That the World Zionist Organization in cooperation with the Unity of the Jewish People 32 Committee of the Jewish Agency calls upon the Government of Israel to move immediately to 33 provide full recognition and equitable support for all the major streams of Jewish practice. 34 35 3. Call by the Young Generation to Adopt the Sharansky Kotel Proposal 36 37 Whereas the young Zionist generation is concerned about freedom of religion in Israel; and 38 39 Whereas the Zionist General Council supports giving all Jewish young men and women the 40 possibility of exercising their right to pray according to their beliefs at the Western Wall; and 41 42 Whereas today this right is not available to everyone wishing to pray according to their beliefs 43 at the Western Wall; and 44 45 Whereas the issue of the right to pray at the Western Wall has become central to the 46 relationship between Israel and the Diaspora; and 47 48 Whereas the Israeli Declaration of Independence promises freedom of religion to all citizens of 49 the country; and 50 51 Whereas the Chairman of the Jewish Agency in response to a request by the Prime Minister of 52 Israel has formulated a proposal which answers the needs of all of the streams; and 53 54 Whereas to date the Israel government has not adopted the Sharansky proposal: 55 56

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Therefore be it resolved: 1 2 That the Zionist General Council calls upon the Government of Israel to adopt the Sharansky 3 proposal, including: 4 5 1. The Western Wall site will be expanded and within it a large third egalitarian prayer section 6 will be erected which has access to the Western Wall and which forms a third section for 7 pluralistic prayer within the Western Wall complex and stands beside the existing sections for 8 men and women; 9 10 2. There will be a common entrance to the three prayer sections; 11 12 3. The egalitarian section will be open to the public 24 hours a day, every day of the week, free 13 of charge; and 14 15 4. The Western Wall site will be managed jointly by representatives from all streams of 16 Judaism. 17 18 4. Call by the Young Generation to Adopt a Program to Fight Racism 19 20 Whereas the young Zionist generation is disturbed by the phenomenon of racism in Israel; and 21 22 Whereas the goal of the World Zionist Organization is to fortify the State of Israel which is 23 founded on the vision of the prophets for justice and peace; and 24 25 Whereas in recent years there have been numerous incidents of racist incitement in Israel and 26 violent acts of a racist and terrorist nature; and 27 28 Whereas until now the law enforcement agencies have not responded with the requisite 29 assertiveness to these ever increasing incidents; and 30 31 Whereas the Zionist General Council is concerned by the increasing phenomenon of racism 32 within Israeli society which threatens the State of Israel and its future; and 33 34 Whereas the World Zionist Organization desires to support the Government of Israel which has 35 decided to make the fight against racism its main priority, 36 37 Therefore be it resolved: 38 39 That the Zionist General Council calls upon the Government of Israel to adopt a program to 40 fight racism that includes the following: 41 1. An assertive and uncompromising campaign against the phenomenon of racist violence 42 which will lead to the prosecution of those guilty of such acts; 43 2. Prosecution for contravention of the law of public figures who incite racism in an ongoing 44 and consistent manner; 45 3. Ongoing educational activities in the framework of the educational system on the topics of 46 co-existence and tolerance, racism and its implications, including meetings between Israeli 47 children and youth from all sectors of society in Israel; and 48 4. Implementation of government coalition agreements calling for the establishment of an inter- 49 ministerial committee to fight racism. 50 51

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5. Call by the Young Generation for Freedom of Choice 1 in Marriage and Divorce 2 3 Whereas the young Zionist generation in Israel and the Diaspora supports freedom of marriage; 4 and 5 6 Whereas the institution of marriage is central to Jewish identity, culture and religion; and 7 8 Whereas the Jewish citizens of the State of Israel can marry only according to Orthodox 9 religious dictates; and 10 11 Whereas according to this situation the right to marry is negated for couples coming from 12 different religions; from individuals who do not profess to belong to any religion; from same- 13 sex couples; and 14 15 Whereas couples that wish to marry in civil ceremonies – whether by force or by choice – are 16 unable to do so; and 17 18 Whereas hundreds of thousands of olim cannot exercise their basic right to marry in Israel; and 19 20 Whereas the State of Israel is bound to the principles of justice and equality; and 21 22 Whereas Israel alone is the only democratic country which so limits freedom of conscience and 23 marriage of its citizens; and 24 25 Whereas the status of the "Civil Unions" in its present version does not provide a satisfactory 26 solution, 27 28 Therefore be it resolved: 29 30 That the Zionist General Council calls upon the Government of Israel to work to pass legislation 31 which allows freedom of marriage and which recognizes religious marriage of all the streams, 32 as well as civil marriage and divorce, as is the case in all other democracies. 33 34 6. The Development of Young Leadership 35 36 Whereas the Zionist General Council recognizes the great importance of encouraging the young 37 generation in Israel and the Diaspora towards activity within the institutions of the Zionist movement 38 and local community organizations, 39 40 The Zionist General Council Session 36/4 resolves that: 41 42 1. The Zionist Executive shall promote the implementation of Congress resolutions in the matter of 43 the integration of young people in the organization’s institutions and shall ensure that resources 44 are allocated for this purpose. 45 46 2. The World Zionist Organization shall work to establish a Training Center for development of 47 programs for young leadership from Israel and the Diaspora, with a view to strengthening the 48 bond between Israel and the Diaspora and enhancing commitment to joint activity. 49 The Zionist Executive shall act in order that the Government of Israel will be a central partner in 50 this project. 51 The Magshimim movements, the youth movements, student organizations, Jewish and Zionist 52 communities and Federations, and other entities in Israel and the Diaspora, shall be partners in 53 development of the program. 54 The program development necessitates a comprehensive, integrated and interdisciplinary 55 approach, for which purpose there will need to be an integration of all the units under the 56 Executive, including the Departments (Diaspora Activities and Israel Activities) and the 57 frameworks for religious affairs in the Diaspora. 58 3

7. Encouraging Aliyah among the Young Generation 1 2 Whereas the Zionist General Council recognizes the great importance of encouraging Aliyah in 3 compliance with previous resolutions adopted in the institutions of the Zionist movement; and 4 5 Whereas the Zionist General Council views the encouragement of Aliyah among the young 6 generation to be of particular importance, 7 8 The Zionist General Council Session 36/4 resolves that: 9 10 1. The World Zionist Organization shall work to encourage Aliyah throughout the Diaspora, and 11 particularly among the young generation, and shall allocate resources for this purpose. 12 13 2. The World Zionist Organization shall work to establish cooperation with government bodies and 14 with the Jewish Agency, in order to increase the number of olim in every location, and 15 particularly among the young generation. 16 17 3. The World Zionist Organization shall prepare a special work program relating to the 18 encouragement of Aliyah in countries where an urgent need has emerged for this, and shall raise 19 all necessary resources for the purpose of intensive activity in such locations. 20 21 8. Reinforcing the Hebrew Language among the Young Generation 22 23 Whereas the Zionist General Council recognizes the great importance of the induction of the 24 Hebrew language in all Diaspora Jewish communities as a central instrument for the reinforcement 25 of the connection between the parts of the Jewish people in every location, the reinforcement of 26 Jewish identity, Jewish peoplehood, and the reinforcement of the connection with the State of Israel, 27 and as an essential tool in improving integration of Aliyah, 28 29 The Zionist General Council Session 36/4 resolves: 30 31 1. To charge the Zionist Executive with the preparation of a detailed work plan and to ensure its 32 implementation forthwith. 33 34 2. To allocate and raise resources for the implementation and conduct of the program within the 35 Hebrew Language Promotion Unit. 36 37 3. To examine existing programs intended for preparation for Aliyah and activities among the 38 young generation, and to prepare supplementary programs if they are required. 39 40 4. To promote the issue of training new teachers of Hebrew as a second language and to enhance 41 the level of existing teachers. 42 43 9. Encouragement of Youth towards Zionist Activity (Youth Congress) 44 45 Whereas the Zionist General Council recognizes the great importance of encouraging the young 46 generation towards activity within the institutions of the Zionist movement, 47 48 The Zionist General Council Session 36/4 resolves: 49 50 1. To convene an International Zionist Youth Conference once every five years. 51 52 2. To charge the Zionist Executive to establish conditions of participation for delegates to the 53 conference. 54 55 56

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10. Reinforcement of Zionist Identity among the Young Generation 1 2 Whereas the Zionist General Council recognizes the great importance of the reinforcement of the 3 young generation’s Zionist identity and connecting them to the root foundations of the Zionist idea, 4 5 The Zionist General Council Session 36/4 resolves: 6 7 1. To charge the Executive of the Zionist Organization with the development of programs to 8 promote Zionist education in Israel and the Diaspora in formal and informal frameworks, in 9 cooperation with the Israel Government and other entities in Israel and the Diaspora engaged in 10 this area. 11 12 2. To train teachers in Israel Education and to improve the level of existing teachers. 13 14 3. To develop programs and encourage the organization of educational tours for youth and students 15 from Israel and the Diaspora around sites relating to the early Zionist period and along the 16 “Journey in Herzl’s Footsteps”. 17 18 4. To allocate resources to promote these issues. 19 20 21 11. Funding Income for the WZO 22 23 Whereas the financial stability of the World Zionist Organization requires transparency and public 24 accountability in all of its operations; and 25 26 Whereas budgetary discipline is critical to the establishment of trust between and among the 27 professional and lay leaders of the World Zionist Organization; and 28 29 Whereas in a time in which the World Zionist Organization is seeking to raise funds from its global 30 constituency so as to provide the necessary means to fulfill its mission, there must be both the 31 appearance and the reality of tight fiscal controls; and 32 33 Whereas it is essential that it be ascertainable at all times that the World Zionist Organization is 34 utilizing all funds in a manner consistent with its mission and its Zionist principles; and 35 36 Whereas Section 30 of the World Zionist Organization Constitution assigns to the Zionist General 37 Council and the Congress the authority to determine all financial matters, either directly or through 38 the Zionist General Council's Committee for Budget and Finance, 39 40 Therefore be it resolved: 41 42 That the following principles shall apply to any and all World Zionist Organization budget and 43 finance issues: 44 45 1. The WZO can only receive and/or implement a budget either allocated and/or donated funds so 46 long as the purpose/s for the allocation and/or donation and the method/s of implementation are in 47 full accordance with the principles of the WZO. Any restriction of the authority of the Zionist 48 Executive to set such principles, or to supervise and control the manner in which such funds are 49 utilized, constitutes an unacceptable precondition. 50 51 2. The Zionist Executive bears responsibility to safeguard and realize this principle during each 52 fiscal year, and the Zionist Executive is mandated to report in writing to the annual meeting of the 53 Zionist General Council on its implementation. 54 55 56

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12. Internal Changes to Budget Lines 1 2 Whereas the financial stability of the World Zionist Organization requires transparency and 3 accountability in all of its operations; and 4 5 Whereas budgetary discipline is critical to the establishment of trust between and among the 6 professional and lay leaders of the World Zionist Organization; and 7 8 Whereas in a time in which the World Zionist Organization is seeking to raise funds from its global 9 constituency so as to provide the necessary means to fulfill its mission, there must be both the 10 appearance and the reality of tight fiscal controls; and 11 12 Whereas it is essential that it be ascertainable at all times that the World Zionist Organization is 13 utilizing all funds in a manner consistent with its mission and its Zionist principles; and 14 15 Whereas Section 30 of the World Zionist Organization Constitution assigns to the Zionist General 16 Council and the Congress the authority to determine all financial matters either directly or through 17 the Zionist General Council's Committee for Budget and Finance, 18 19 Therefore be it resolved: 20 21 That the following principles shall apply to any and all World Zionist Organization budget and 22 finance issues: 23 24 1. Funds will not be transferred to or from any approved budget line even within the same 25 department of the WZO in an aggregate amount in any budgetary year of more than $25,000 unless 26 such a transfer is approved by the Committee for Budget and Finance of the Zionist General 27 Council. 28 29 2. The Zionist Executive bears responsibility to safeguard and realize this principle during each 30 fiscal year, and the Zionist Executive is mandated to report in writing to the annual meeting of the 31 Zionist General Council on its implementation. 32 33 34 13. France* 35 36 Whereas the Zionist General Council recognizes the special circumstances prevailing recently in 37 Europe in general, and in France in particular, and recognizes the immediate necessity to work 38 within these communities and provide a response to the challenges of the moment; and 39 40 Whereas the Zionist General Council determines that the Zionist Organization shall cooperate with 41 the Israel Government and the Jewish Agency in preparing a plan for immediate intervention in 42 France, 43 44 The Zionist General Council Session 36/4 resolves: 45 46 1. To charge the Zionist Executive to prepare a comprehensive work program for activity in France, 47 to commence 2014, and shall allocate for this purpose the requisite resources. 48 49 2. That the Zionist Executive shall present a progress report to the Zionist General in respect of this 50 issue. 51 52 *see appendix/explanatory note to this resolution 53

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14. Constitutional Amendment: 1 The Budget of the World Zionist Organization 2 3 Whereas Article 30 of the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization addresses the powers 4 and functions of the Zionist General Council; and 5 6 Whereas Section 2 of Article 30 determines that: 7 "(a) The Council shall, upon proposal of the Executive, either itself or through a committee 8 established by it for that purpose in terms of Article 31 (The Permanent Budget and Finance 9 Committee) decide upon all budgetary and financial matters, provided such decision be not 10 inconsistent with the decisions of Congress." 11 12 It is therefore resolved: 13 14 To add to Article 30, Section 2, of the Constitution a small paragraph (b) which reads as follows: 15 (b) No budget or financial expenditure shall be approved which is not consistent with the principles 16 instructed by the Congress, or the Zionist General Council. 17 18 The paragraph currently marked as (b) in the Constitution shall henceforth be marked as (c). 19 20 21 15. Elections 22 23 1. Attorney of the WZO 24 25 In accordance with Article 55 of the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization, 26 27 The Zionist General Council 36/4 hereby elects Adv. Baruch Rubin as Attorney of the World 28 Zionist Organization, replacing Adv. Aharon Abramowitz, who resigned. 29 30 2. Member of the Executive 31 32 In accordance with Article 43 of the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization, 33 34 The Zionist General Council 36/4 hereby elects Mr. Sergio Edelstein as a Member of the 35 Executive, replacing Mr. Zvi (Quito) Hasson, who resigned. 36 37 3. Members and Deputy Members of the Presidium 38 39 In accordance with Article 35, Section 2 of the Constitution of the World Zionist Organization, 40 41 The Zionist General Council 36/4 hereby elects: 42 A. As Members of the Presidium: 43 Adv. Sahar Pinto of the Kadima/ faction, replacing Ms. Shiraz Friedman, who 44 resigned; 45 Ms. Haya Cohen, of the Labor Zionist Movement/Etz, replacing Professor Shimon Sheetreet, 46 who resigned; 47 Ms. Chaya Pomeranz, replacing Mr. Oliver Worth, who resigned; 48 Ms. Galia Woloch, replacing Ms. Talia Livni, who resigned. 49 50 B. As Deputy Members of the Presidium: 51 Ms. Tehilla Reuben, replacing Mr. Marcus Frieze, who resigned; 52 Mr. Shmuel Margui, replacing Mr. David Koplevich, who resigned. 53 54 55

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4. Honorary Fellows 1 2 In accordance with Article 32, Section 3, sub-section (h) of the Constitution of the World 3 Zionist Organization, 4 5 The Zionist General Council 36/4 hereby elects as Honorary Fellows: 6 7 Ms. Amalia Falk 8 Ms. Naomi Leibler 9 Ms. Miriam Roth 10 Professor Yaakov Halperin 11

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