WZO Talks Stall; Congress Extended After Netanyahu Appointment

Negotiations over key National Institutions posts at the World Zionist Organization stalled after Culture Minister Miki Zohar moved to advance an appointment for Yair Netanyahu to a senior WZO role as director of the Information Department with ministerial rank, prompting widespread outrage. Delegates had been close to a rotating leadership deal that might have allowed WZO chairman Yaakov Hagoel to share the chairmanship with Rabbi Doron Perez, but talks unraveled amid the surprise bid. WZO Vice Chairman Yizhar Hess condemned the move as unacceptable, saying any agreement giving Yair Netanyahu a position would undermine unity, while Zohar defended the nomination and denounced critics as hypocritical, calling the backlash a 'witch hunt.' After proceedings ran late and Thursday’s schedule was canceled amid expected protests, the Zionist Congress was extended two weeks to allow remote voting. Institutions concluded discussions without a vote and formally postponed the decision on the appointment for two weeks as separate negotiations among slates continue.