The World Israel Beytenu Movement was founded in 2000 as a non-profit NGO. World Israel Beytenu is a Zionist, right-wing, liberal movement. It represents the Israel Beytenu political party in World Zionist Organization.
The Movement is intended to provide representation for any Jew not residing in Israel, to enable such persons to become meaningful players within the Zionist Movement, thereby making a difference in terms of what is happening within the Jewish world in general and in Israel in particular.
The First Jewish Congress — How It All Began
In August 1897, in Basel, Switzerland, the World Zionist Organization was founded during the First Zionist Congress, which convened there. The goal – to establish a homeland for the Jewish People and to provide representation for all Jewish communities worldwide. After Israel gained its independence, the Zionist Movement realigned itself to adjust to the new reality of a sovereign state and switched its focus toward strengthening cohesion within the Jewish People and around the central role of the State of Israel for the Jewish People, around the fight against anti-Semitism, promotion of Jewish values, Aliya, Zionist outreach, protecting the rights of Jews and so forth.
Present-Day Importance of the Jewish Congress
Today, more than 120 years after the First World Zionist Congress was held, it seems that the importance of its existence is only growing: repatriation, the fight against anti-Semitism, the preservation of Jewish communities in the Diaspora, the connection with the State of Israel, and the strengthening of Jewish identity are just a few of the important issues on the agenda of each such gathering.
The Zionist Congress convenes once every five years, and around 500 delegates from all over the world participate.
In most countries with Jewish populations, there are Zionist federations that unite various Zionist organizations and movements, representing different communities, streams, and ideologies within the federation itself. The delegates of the Congress are representatives of these organizations and movements. The greater the representation of both the Zionist federation and its organizations and movements at the Congress, the more effectively it can protect its interests and influence the policies of the relations between Israel and the Diaspora in national institutions such as the Jewish National Fund (JNF), the Jewish Agency, the World Zionist Organization, and others.
Participation of World Israel Beytenu in the Congress
World Israel Beytenu first participated in the Zionist Congress in 2000. Ever since it has continually worked to influence and expand. From 2015 to this day, World Israel Beytenu has been represented by 33 delegates from various countries worldwide such as the United States, Canada, Russia, Germany, Ukraine and the list continues to grow.
How can you join and make a difference?
You must be members of the Zionist Federation and you must be members in a movement representing World Israel Beytenu in your country. As movement members you can take part in all the activities and events. You also have the right to vote for the delegates who will be representing your community on behalf of World Israel Beytenu at the Congress.
Want to join and make a difference?
Leave your details here and we will contact you shortly!
Our Credo
The World Israel Beytenu Movement takes its inspiration from Ze’ev Jabotinsky’s Revisionist Zionism, which prioritizes the establishment of a powerful Jewish State with a powerful military to defend the Jewish People. The Movement supports liberal economics and separation between religion and state. The Movement stands for a modern adaptation of the Jabotinsky ideas to the present-day needs of all the world’s Jews, to the Jews in Israel and specifically to the Russian-speaking Jews.
- Support for Israel — the Movement proactively promotes the State of Israel’s interests in the international arena through enlisting the support of the Jewish diaspora.
- Influence — the Diaspora Jews need the ways and means for influencing the processes underway in the Zionist and Jewish world and in the State of Israel.
- A home for all Jews — all Jews, regardless of their affiliation to one stream or another, are entitled to a home in Israel so long as they have an affinity to the State and that they strongly support it.
- Solidarity — we believe that just as Israel needs a powerful Diaspora, the Jewish Diaspora needs the support of a powerful Israel. The struggle against anti-Semitism is an important part of this – vital to ensuring the safety and dignity of all of the world’s Jews.
- Stimulating Aliya and Supporting the Olim — out of the conviction that Aliya is one of Zionism’s cornerstones, we as a Movement work to increase Aliya and to support the Olim’s successful integration within the State’s life and within Israeli society.
- Security and Support for the IDF — we believe in taking a firm stance against terrorist threats and against the enemies of the State. This is part and parcel of our support for a powerful military and cutting-edge security industry.
- The Value of Eretz Israel — the Land of Israel is the cradle of the Jewish People’s identity. It is the historical base, the national, religious and cultural heart of the Jewish People. Every inch of land therein is steeped in memories and heritage, forming the link between us today and previous generations. We are compelled to protect and defend this land at all costs.
The Jerusalem Program
The Movement fully supports the Jerusalem Program, which is based on the Declaration of Independence: “Zionism, the Jewish People’s National Liberation Movement, has brought about the establishment of the State of Israel. It regards a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel to be the manifestation of the Jewish People’s shared responsibility for the continued existence and future of the Jewish People.”
Our Work
World Israel Beytenu works to promote its ideals and in favor of the members of the community that have chosen it. To further its interests, the Movement has many tools at its disposal. For example, representatives in the World Zionist Federation’s Executive, in KKL-JNF and more. Additionally, the Movement’s leadership takes an active part in the Knesset committees, in lobbying groups and in numerous conferences. World Israel Beytenu organizes local activities with special emphasis on political events with the potential for influencing Diaspora Jewry.
Online Events with a Global Reach
One of the things most important to the Movement is the possibility to make connections and maintain contact with Movement members all over the world.
How do we bridge the gaps – both geographic and linguistic?
Through interesting, engaging online activities enabling the Movement’s members all over the world to obtain information about Israel, to understand it, to raise questions, etc.
All such events are advertised and provide advance registration.
For the Community
World Israel Beytenu supports various communities interested in strengthening their bonds with the State of Israel through a variety of emotional, solidarity-building events and activities. In 2024, besides marking the Jewish festivals, and in addition to conferences and events, communities have held special activities marking the Swords of Iron War and the intensifying war against anti-Semitism. This is an intense struggle against anti-Semitism, which has been harmful to the State of Israel and to Diaspora Jewry. It has been tangibly felt through the outbreak of a wave of unprecedented violent anti-Semitism. Since the outbreak of fighting, the Movement has been actively engaged with and for the servicemen and women by providing much-needed equipment, organization and distribution of meals, and much more.
Want to be part of the Movement’s work?
Leave your details here and we will contact you shortly!