Orthodox votes increased in World Zionist Congress elections, per initial results

The U.S. election for delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress drew 230,257 votes, an all-time record, per preliminary results announced on Thursday night. The 224,237 online votes and 6,020 paper ballots represent more than an 86% increase over turnout in the most recent election, in 2020, in which 123,575 votes were cast.

The election determines which “slates,” or parties, send the 152 U.S. delegates to the congress, which is known as the “parliament” of the Jewish people. The body makes important decisions about how monies are appropriated and which policies are set at Zionist institutions, such as the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Hayesod and KKL-JNF.

“American Jews have spoken,” stated Herbert Block, executive director of the American Zionist Movement, which administers the