Orthodox surge captures nearly 50% of US votes in World Zionist Congress election

The World Zionist Congress, established by Theodor Herzl in 1897, sets policy for the Zionist movement and allocates over $1 billion annually through bodies like the World Zionist Organization and Jewish Agency.

By Gila Isaacson, JFeed

A record-breaking 230,257 American Jews voted in the 39th World Zionist Congress election, with Orthodox slates securing an unprecedented 47% of the ballots, challenging the historic dominance of liberal movements and reshaping the U.S. delegation.

The American Zionist Movement (AZM) reported that four Orthodox lists, Am Yisrael Chai, Eretz HaKodesh, Orthodox Israel Coalition, Mizrachi, and Aish Ha’Am, collectively garnered 105,548 votes (45.9%), with three smaller Torah-oriented slates adding 3,538 votes.

Am Yisrael Chai, linked to the Olami network and running for the first time, took second place with 31,765 votes (13.8%).

Eretz HaKodesh, representing ultra-Orthodox voters, secured 29,159 votes (12.7%), followed by Mizrachi’s 26,975 (11.7%) and Aish Ha’Am’s 6,649 (2.9%).

In contrast, the 2020 Orthodox vote was only 34%.

The Reform slate, Vote Reform, led with 47,887 votes but saw its share drop to 20.8% from 25.5% in 2020.

The Conservative/Masorti Mercaz USA earned 27,893 votes (12.1%), slightly down from 2020, while the progressive Hatikvah slate rose to 11,537 votes (5%).

The Israel American Council (IAC), in its debut, secured 5,344 votes (2.3%). Liberal and centrist slates, which held 44% in 2020, fell to 38% this year, emphasizing the Orthodox ascent.

The World Zionist Congress, established by Theodor Herzl in 1897, sets policy for the Zionist movement and allocates over $1 billion annually through bodies like the World Zionist Organization and Jewish Agency.

The U.S. elects 152 of the Congress’s 525 delegates, with mandates proportional to votes.

Orthodox lists are projected to claim at least 70 seats, potentially over 80, granting them significant influence over budgets for Jewish education, aliyah, and settlements, especially in coalition with Israel’s right-religious parties.

World Zionist Organization Chairman Yaakov Hagoel called the results a “historic moment” for “proud Zionism and tradition,” urging unity post-October 7.

AZM’s Herbert Block hailed the 86% turnout increase, noting, “American Jews have shown Zionism is stronger than ever.”

Rabbi Steven Burg of Aish Ha’Am emphasized unity, pledging to work with all factions when delegates convene in Jerusalem from October 28-30, 2025.

Despite 18,948 invalidated ballots (8%), the Orthodox plurality is unlikely to shift, though final results await AZM tribunal and Zionist Supreme Court rulings.

Liberal leaders face weakened coalition leverage, while Orthodox groups aim to boost funding for yeshivot and religious outreach, signaling a major ideological shift.