WZO Negotiations Stalled Over Yair Netanyahu Appointment Amid Political Fallout

Negotiations within the World Zionist Organization (WZO) over leadership positions have been disrupted due to the proposed appointment of Yair Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Netanyahu, to a senior board position, sparking significant controversy and opposition. The proposal, advanced by Culture Minister Miki Zohar, faced backlash from multiple factions including the liberal and pluralistic camps, who deemed the appointment "unacceptable" and a threat to a balanced agreement aimed at uniting the Jewish community. The sudden inclusion of Yair Netanyahu, who was slated for the role of director of the WZO’s Information Department with ministerial rank, caught many delegates by surprise and led to the suspension of the Zionist Congress session without a vote on the matter. Opposition parties Yesh Atid and the Democrats withdrew support from the broader power-sharing agreement in protest, while discussions continue, with no formal approval yet granted and decisions postponed. Zohar defended the nomination as an effort to advocate for Israel abroad and criticized opponents for perceived hypocrisy in appointments within national institutions. Meanwhile, alternative leadership scenarios such as a rotating chairmanship involving current chairman Yaakov Hagoel and World Mizrachi CEO Rabbi Doron Perez remain under consideration but unresolved.