And so is your power to control them.

(Courtesy of Eretz Hakodesh)

Understanding the WZO’s Financial Might

By now, we’re all aware of the ongoing elections and the significant influence the World Zionist Organization (WZO) has on Jewish life in Israel and around the globe. We’ve heard about the vast sums of money at stake and the high-stakes battles for control. But what many of us might not fully understand is how the WZO has access to such substantial financial resources. Let’s take a closer look at the sources of its funding and the mechanisms that sustain its operations.

The World Zionist Organization (WZO) is a century-old umbrella organization that oversees three major entities, collectively known as the “National Institutions.” These include Keren Kayemeth LeYisrael (KKL/JNF), the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI), and Keren Hayesod (United Israel Appeal), the official fundraising arm of the State of Israel. Each of these entities operates with substantial budgets and has access to lucrative sources of funding, built up over decades of strategic planning and investments.

Land Sales: The Billion-Shekel Engine

One of the most significant sources of funding for the WZO comes from land sales managed by KKL/JNF. While many of us associate KKL/JNF with its iconic tree-planting campaigns, its real financial power lies in its role as a major landowner and developer in Israel. The organization holds a substantial stake in state lands, and as a result, it receives a portion of the revenue generated from land sales across the country. Specifically, KKL/JNF collects approximately 13% of purchase tax fees of homes, land, and buildings sold in Israel due to its ownership interests.

In recent years, KKL/JNF has generated billions of shekels from land sales. In 2022 and 2023 alone they brought in nearly $4.5 billion.

These land holdings date back to a massive post-statehood deal involving 1.35 million dunams (about 334,000 acres) of land. While the historical reasons behind this transfer remain a topic of debate, there’s no question that these lands continue to be a critical resource managed by KKL/JNF. With Israel’s real estate market remaining robust, this source of funding shows no signs of drying up anytime soon.

Global Fundraising:
A Century-Old Network

Another key source of funding for the WZO and its affiliated institutions is global fundraising. For over a century, the National Institutions have maintained extensive networks spanning dozens of countries, enabling them to raise millions of dollars annually from Jewish communities worldwide. While the appeal of Zionism has evolved over time, the commitment of Diaspora Jews to supporting Israeli causes remains strong.

Donors often contribute to specific causes. To encourage these targeted donations, some National Institutions offer to match contributions up to 25%, effectively incentivizing donors to give more.

In countries without formal diplomatic ties to Israel, the National Institutions often serve as the primary channel for donating to Israeli causes, thanks to their established local offices and global reach.

These unique advantages allow the National Institutions to benefit from an unmatched fundraising system that rivals the largest non-government organizations in the world.

Investments in Legacy Institutions

The National Institutions also benefit from decades-old investments made during the pre-state era. In the early days of Zionism, these organizations provided seed funding for essential projects, including schools, businesses, and even banks. Today, they continue to hold ownership stakes in many of these institutions, generating continuous substantial revenue from their investments.

These legacy investments have created a steady stream of income that supports the ongoing operations of the WZO and its affiliated bodies. By maintaining a diversified portfolio of assets, the National Institutions have ensured their financial stability and ability to fund a wide range of initiatives.

Government Funding: A Legal Loophole

A unique aspect of the WZO’s financial structure is its relationship with the Israeli government. In 1952, the Knesset passed the Law of the National Institutions, which formalized the roles of these bodies and granted them a special financial advantage. This law allows the Israeli government to bypass the usual bureaucratic tender process when distributing funds through the National Institutions.

This legal loophole enables the government to channel money directly to various causes, making the National Institutions an indispensable part of Israel’s political and economic landscape. By leveraging this arrangement, the WZO and its affiliated organizations can access significant government funding without the constraints typically associated with public tenders.

Why All This Matters

These diverse and robust funding streams have enabled the WZO to maintain its influence and continue its mission of shaping Jewish life in Israel and across the globe.

What’s more, these sources of funding are not only stable—they are growing. With Israel’s real estate market thriving, global Jewish communities continuing to donate generously, and legacy investments yielding steady returns, the WZO’s financial resources are set to expand even further in the years to come.

But here’s the critical point: These billions are real, and so is your power to influence how they are spent. The outcome of the ongoing election will determine where this money goes—whether it’s toward promoting our Torah true values or promoting alternative streams of Judaism. By engaging with the WZO and its elections, you have a direct say in shaping the future of the Jewish people.

This isn’t just about money; it’s about impact. It’s about ensuring that these resources are used to build a stronger Eretz Yisroel for generations to come. The choice is yours—and the time to act is now.

To vote and for more information go to eretzhakodesh.org