World Mizrachi CEO Rabbi Doron Perez is set to become the new chairman of the World Zionist Organization, in a power-sharing rotation with Yesh Atid in the second half of the term, according to proposed World Zionist Congress coalition agreements.
Leadership of KKL-JNF is set to be split between Yesh Atid and the Likud, in another rotation. Yesh Atid MK Meir Cohen is set to be the chairman of the Jewish National Fund, ending his service as a member of the Knesset in the coming weeks.
Perez was featured prominently in the opening World Zionist Congress ceremony on Tuesday night, wielding a torch in memory of his son, Capt. Daniel Perez, who fell defending kibbutzim from the Hamas-led October 7 massacre. The tribute to honor fallen soldiers saw four torchbearers opening proceedings, with the final carried by Perez in recognition of his work and his family’s experience.
Rabbi Doron Perez and the loss of his son
Perez’s story has resonated as a symbol of resilience and Zionist ideals since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas War. Another son, Yonatan, was wounded the same day fending off Hamas attacks. Daniel’s body was taken hostage and was only returned in a ceasefire deal and buried on October 15.
The pain of the Perez family has been public, but despite the suffering, in a March interview, the World Mizrachi CEO called for a departure from blame politics and called for Israeli and Diaspora politics to focus on fostering healing and rebuilding.
During the WZC election, Perez explained the role that the National Institutions played toward education, which he said was important for his movement.
Perez also argued in the March interview with The Jerusalem Post that the WZC elections and bodies should be more than just reflections of Israeli politics. There were some issues in Israel that caused division between Israel and the Diaspora, and he didn’t feel it was wise for the WZO or other national institutions to take a position on matters such as the judicial reform.
Sources within negotiation parties had initially indicated that Perez had been favored for head of the Keren Hayesod organization.
Cohen said that he would continue to support the Yesh Atid Party, as opposition leader Yair Lapid congratulated him in the new elections.
KKL-JNF controls millions of dunams of land in Israel, and wields millions in shekels for conservation, education, and development work.
WZO Vice Chairman and Mercaz representative Dr. Yizhar Hess congratulated Perez and all the others selected to lead the National Institutions, stating that the coalition agreement reflected “the will of the voters who elected this Zionist Congress and positions us to continue working at the National Institutions to address the challenges facing Israel and the Jewish people: rebuilding after October 7, promoting unity and pluralism, combating antisemitism, and standing up for democracy and equality in Israeli society.”
