ByMICHAEL STARR
Updated:

Disruptions and road closures due to the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) IDF draft protests in Jerusalem forced the World Zionist Congress to reschedule events from Thursday to Wednesday, and are also sparking tensions between slates over reports that some haredi delegates are considering participating in the demonstrations.
 
Besides a plenary that had been delayed owing to the finalization of a coalition agreement on National Institution portfolios, Wednesday was supposed to host only resolution committees.
 
However, the anticipated ultra-Orthodox protests on Thursday heavily contributed to the rescheduling of the closing and resolution-voting plenary, which was switched to Wednesday.

Concern road closures, disruptions would cause missed flights


Some WZC delegates had expressed concern that they would be unable to make their flights home on time due to road closures and disruptions in the country’s capital.
 
Attenders have shared that some of their ultra-orthodox colleagues are allegedly planning to attend the protests, reigniting tensions about the inclusion of haredi factions in the WZC.

Guards remove ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters from the courtroom during a hearing on the government’s draft of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israeli military, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, October 29, 2025.
Guards remove ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters from the courtroom during a hearing on the government’s draft of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the Israeli military, at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, October 29, 2025. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)


Some slates have questioned the legitimacy of the participation of such haredi factions and questioned their commitment to fundamental Zionist principles. The Jerusalem Program, the official platform of the World Zionist Organization and Zionist movement, holds that recruitment to the IDF or national service should be encouraged.


The matter of delegate participation in the draft protests was reportedly raised during Wednesday’s committee discussions on a resolution to issue support for an equal draft law in Israel.


Proposed by the Masorti Olami slate, the resolution calls for financing educational programs that explain the importance of the universal draft, while avoiding partnerships with entities that oppose the agenda. The Zionist institution is set to encourage the Israeli government to adopt legislation that would “end discrimination in the obligation to serve.”


Yesh Atid also proposed an amendment to the WZC constitution that would require Israeli delegates to have completed military or national service, unless otherwise exempt.


The proposals follow the submission of a Likud plan to draft 50% of the haredi population and mounting protests by segments of the demographic in response to the arrest of draft dodgers.


Dr. Yizhar Hess, WZO’s vice chairperson, denounced reports that delegates would participate in the protests.

“National service is defined as a core Zionist value in the Jerusalem Platform, and as signatories on that platform, the ultra-Orthodox factions must immediately reject the planned participation of any of their delegates in tomorrow’s anti-Zionist demonstration,” said Hess.


“WZO must demand repayment from any delegate who traveled to Israel on the dime of the Zionist movement and participated in promoting draft dodging,” he said.