June 17, 2010
Zionist Congress calls for settlement freeze
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NOTE: This brief has been updated to reflect the fact that the resolution passed by the plenary wasn’t formally adopted at the World Zionist Congress last week. It is an addition to the Weekly Middle East Briefs sent earlier today.
The World Zionist Congress voted to pass a resolution endorsing the Israeli government’s positions on a two-state solution and the West Bank settlement freeze.
However, the resolution wasn’t formally adopted because the plenary had to be adjourned abruptly when opponents of the resolution disrupted the proceedings, taking over the stage and singing “Hatikvah,” Israel’s national anthem. The resolution also called on Israel to stabilize ties with the United States.
The vote in Jerusalem came a day after some opponents of the resolution walked out of a meeting of the 36th Congress’ settlement committee. Following the walkout, the remainder of the meeting was chaired by Hadar Susskind, the vice president of policy and strategy at J Street, which favors U.S. pressure on Israel toward a two-state solution.
The World Zionist Congress elects the officers and ostensibly sets policy for the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Adoption of the resolution will be considered at an upcoming meeting of the Zionist group’s leadership.
