In Their Own Words

Lema'an Achai Ve'riai ! In 2020 a new party was created to run in the World Zionist Organization (WZO) elections which claimed it would fight for the Torah and represent American Chareidim. Yet the backlash was swift and Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim all across America voiced their opposition to participating in an organization that had been prohibited by Gedolei Yisroel.

What was so bad about this innovation? In what way was this different from any other shtadlonus? Did the opposition have to do with halochah, hashkofah, or a certain shittah?

The campaign pushed forward nonetheless and rumors buzzed about who had lent their names in support of this unconventional party, named Eretz Hakodesh. Its leaders claimed they would fight the Reform and divert millions of dollars from anti-Torah causes in Eretz Yisroel and channel them to worthwhile causes instead. What was it that some felt was so reprehensible about this? Why had frum people never been involved in the WZO before?

Now, five years later, Eretz Hakodesh is gearing up for their next campaign in the Spring 2025 election of the WZO, and trying to extend their reach to countries all over the world: The UK, France, Mexico, and Argentina. Once again, they are asking the frum tzibur to become members of the World Zionist Organization in order to vote for them. Is this a sign of increased support by Rabbonim or just a slick campaign? As with any question, rumors and fragments of the story are not a substitute for an understanding of the issue from its sources. What exactly is the World Zionist Organization and what do they do? Where did this new party come from, and what are their goals? Why would the Chofetz Chaim say that “better for most of the yeshivos to close, ח”ו , and not join them [the WZO]”? Has the situation changed at all today? ...And what exactly is a Zionist, anyway?

This pamphlet will attempt to explain what the World Zionist Organization is all about by examining the history of Zionism and its core philosophy, the reasons behind the historical opposition of Gedolei Yisroel to joining any such organization, and the important distinction between joining the WZO and joining the Knesset. It will also shed light on the achievements of this party over the past five years and explain why the Zionist Movement in general couldn’t be happier with the addition of this new party to their ranks.

In Their Own Words - the true torah words of the tzadikim against the World Zionist Organization (WZO) ההסתדרות הציונית