So? Who was right after all???? WZO Certifies Recent Election, Confirming Frum And Right-Wing Majority For First Time Ever

The results of the 2025 World Zionist Congress elections were officially certified this week, confirming a dramatic shift in representation: for the first time, frum and right-wing slates together hold a majority in the American delegation.

The certification followed months of disputes over voting irregularities, including fraudulent ballots, that were ultimately resolved by the American Zionist Movement’s election tribunal and the Zionist Supreme Court in Jerusalem.

According to the American Zionist Movement, which oversees the U.S. elections, a record-breaking 224,969 valid votes were cast—nearly double the turnout of 2020 and the highest in history. Twenty-two slates competed for 155 American seats, which make up almost one-third of the body’s elected membership. Delegates from across the world will join representatives from Israel at the 39th World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem, scheduled for October 28–30.

The World Zionist Congress, founded by Theodor Herzl in 1897, determines the allocation of over $1 billion annually through the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael (JNF-KKL), and Keren Hayesod. Decisions made at the congress affect Jewish education, settlement initiatives, and the character of Jewish communal life in Israel and the Diaspora.

This year’s results highlight the growing presence of the Orthodox community within the WZO’s political framework. Am Yisrael Chai captured 21 seats, while Eretz HaKodesh secured 19. Combined with the Orthodox Israel Coalition–Mizrachi, which won 18 seats, the religious bloc now holds significant influence, an outcome unthinkable just a decade ago.

Other religious and right-wing groups also gained ground, while some centrist and progressive factions lost strength. The Reform movement’s “Vote Reform” slate remained the largest single faction, winning 33 seats, though fewer than the 39 it held in the last congress. The Conservative movement’s Mercaz USA gained modestly to 19 seats, while progressive lists such as Hatikvah dropped sharply.

The elections were not without controversy. Shas was initially disqualified over ballot issues but was later reinstated with two seats. Achdut Israel, another slate, was disqualified completely after investigators found evidence of fraudulent registrations.

Smaller groups also managed to carve out a presence. Aish Ha’am, linked to Aish HaTorah, secured five seats, while newcomers like Kol Israel, Vision, and the Israeli American Council each won four.