Yair Netanyahu’s WZO Bid Sparks Uproar, May Help Hagoel Retain Power Amid Congress Turmoil

A storm erupted at the World Zionist Congress this week after Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar proposed appointing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son, Yair, to the World Zionist Organization board a move that not only threatened a fragile political coalition but may paradoxically secure embattled WZO chairman Yaakov Hagoel’s grip on power.

Widespread outrage followed the proposal, with liberal and pluralistic factions across the political spectrum calling the idea a “red line.” Yesh Atid and MERCAZ, among others, warned that the appointment of the polarizing Yair Netanyahu would derail negotiations to finalize leadership roles and portfolios in the WZO’s key national institutions.

Dr. Yizhar Hess, WZO vice chairman and senior representative for MERCAZ, sharply criticized the maneuver. “A deal that hands Yair Netanyahu any position in the national institutions is clearly not an option,” he said. “We were on the cusp of a historic, balanced agreement that would have united the Jewish people.”

The backlash created unexpected political space for Hagoel, whose position had been in jeopardy amid internal Likud disputes. Until Wednesday, Zohar’s Likud Israel faction had succeeded in sidelining Hagoel’s World Likud faction, potentially ousting him from WZO leadership. But the Yair Netanyahu controversy fractured Zohar’s coalition, weakening his hand and potentially restoring Hagoel’s negotiating leverage.

Multiple delegates reported that different factions, unable to reach a unified Likud position, had begun negotiating separate deals with various factions, making any final agreement far more volatile.

A proposed compromise a rotating WZO chairmanship between Hagoel and World Mizrachi CEO Rabbi Doron Perez is reportedly being considered, though nothing has been finalized. This model reflects past arrangements, such as the previously proposed Perez-Yesh Atid rotation.

The Congress voted late Wednesday to extend the convention by two weeks and allow remote electronic voting after coalition negotiations dragged into the night and Thursday’s program was canceled due to massive ultra-Orthodox protests in Jerusalem over the IDF draft bill.

Critics of the Yair Netanyahu appointment also warned it would politicize and discredit the Zionist institutions. Yesh Atid issued a searing statement: “We heard with astonishment the despicable decision to appoint Yair Netanyahu. We will not sign any such agreement.”

Zohar’s proposal to include Yair Netanyahu may have been an attempt to consolidate power amid a bitter leadership rivalry with Hagoel one that has included months of stalled elections and accusations of procedural obstruction.

As the dust settles, the WZO executive appears to be preparing for potential structural changes. A new constitutional amendment expanding the WZO executive board from 14 to 24 positions was introduced at the resolution plenary on Wednesday night another sign that the Congress is shifting under the weight of deep internal divisions.

For now, Yaakov Hagoel, once seemingly sidelined, may find himself back in contention ironically bolstered by the backlash against a political gamble involving the prime minister’s controversial son.

Stay with us for further developments as negotiations continue behind closed doors. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Israel-Diaspora relations and the future of the Zionist movement.