(Courtesy of Mizrachi) The strong performance by the Orthodox Israel Coalition (OIC) and World Mizrachi in the 2020 World Zionist Congress elections has driven more than 100 million shekel in investments and influence to shape the future of Israel and the Jewish people. The coalition’s strategic success not only strengthened its representation within key national institutions like the World Zionist Organization (WZO) and KKL-JNF, but its influence has driven substantial support for the highest priority causes for the Dati Leumi community.

Voting for the next World Zionist Congress runs from March 10-May 4, and a large turnout will assure the group’s continued influence in the WZO. For more information, visit www.voteoic.org.

In the last election, the OIC, Mizrachi’s American partner, earned a record 22,000 votes, which translated into 27 seats at the World Zionist Congress, widely known as the Parliament of the Jewish People. As a result of that success and combined with other Mizrachi slates, performance across the globe, the group has achieved:

Leading the WZO’s Chativa LeHityashvut in helping to invest tens of millions of shekels toward strengthening existing communities and establishing new ones in key regions like the Golan Heights, Judea and Samaria, the Negev and the Galilee. New communities such as Meital, Shibolet and Ir Ovot have opened, while funding has been allocated for security and resilience programs in high-risk areas like the Gaza Envelope.

Investing hundreds of millions of shekels toward community resilience programs and specific programs for families evacuated from their homes during the war, including the establishment of seven temporary complexes for 800 families from eight evacuated communities.

Driving millions of shekels in investments to support Jewish educational programs worldwide.

Sending 300 Dati Leumi educators to Jewish schools around the world annually as shlichim, enriching the educational experiences of thousands of students with a focus on Jewish identity and Zionist values.

Investing in training programs for educators and special virtual education projects to impact Jewish education on a global scale, ensuring that the next generation of Jews is connected to the state of Israel and the ideals of Torat Yisrael.

Marshalling extensive support across various initiatives for Orthodox Jews in the Diaspora, including funding solidarity missions in Israel, assisting Orthodox communities worldwide with Zionist conferences and strengthening Dati Leumi activities on North American campuses.

Allocating millions of shekels annually to Bnei Akiva, Torah MiTzion and Amiel, Bat Ami (National Service).

Securing millions of shekels to fund Dati Leumi study programs and expand and support immigration and absorption from the United States and France.

Supporting Hesder yeshivas, yeshivot and batei midrashot in developing towns.

Coordinating international speaking tours for top Dati Leumi Torah educators.

Leveraging its WZC wins to fund Dati Leumi schools and youth villages in the AMIT and Bnei Akiva education networks in Israel.

Providing grants to support shmita-observant farmers.

Hosting Shabbatonim and special tiyulim for more than 10,000 yeshiva and seminary students from North America, investing in a stronger global Jewish community with a deepened commitment to Israel’s future.

“The success we’ve achieved over the past five years has been a direct result of the Orthodox Israel Coalition’s strong showing in the World Zionist Congress elections of 2020,” said World Mizrachi’s Executive Chairman Rabbi Doron Perez, who leads the WZO’s Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora. “To continue remaining on the frontlines in strengthening Jewish education, supporting Israel’s growth and investing in community resilience, we need to ensure that our voice remains strong and our support base continues to grow. The future of the Dati Leumi community in Israel and the Diaspora depend on it.”

Since the last Congress, Mizrachi has worked tirelessly to advocate for Jewish communities in Israel’s periphery, promote Jewish education globally and ensure the continuity of religious Zionism both in Israel and abroad. These gains have translated into hundreds of millions of shekels allocated to critical initiatives, creating lasting impact for communities across the Jewish world. With continued commitment and engagement from supporters in Israel and abroad, World Mizrachi is poised to build on this success, ensuring that religious Zionism remains a driving force for the next generation.

The Orthodox Israel Coalition, comprising leading institutions like the Religious Zionists of America—Mizrachi, AMIT, the Orthodox Union, Yeshiva University, the Rabbinical Council of America, the National Council of Young Israel, Touro College, Torah MiTzion, Bnei Akiva, Shvilim and others, has been on the frontlines for 120 years, driving meaningful change within the World Zionist Congress and strengthening the connection between Israel, Torah values and the Jewish people. From March 10-May 4, join the OIC on the frontlines once again by voting in the World Zionist Congress elections and supporting the Jewish people and the Jewish state. For more information, visit www.voteoic.org.