THE ZIONIST GENERAL COUNCIL

The Zionist General Council is the supreme institution of the Zionist movement in the inter-Congress period. The Zionist General Council has all the powers of the Congress except for those expressly reserved for the Congress.

The Zionist General Council overseas and, in so far as necessary, decides upon the manner in which the Executive will implement the decisions of the Congress and of the Council. The Zionist General Council receives and considers the reports of the Executive.

The Zionist Council, upon proposal of the Executive, either itself or through the Permanent Committee for Budget and Finance, decides upon all budgetary and financial matters, provided such a decision is not inconsistent with the decisions of Congress.

Should the position of a member of the Executive, a member of the Presidium or a deputy member of the Presidium fall vacant for any reason whatsoever in the inter-Congress period, the Zionist General Council elects a new member in his stead. This election is carried out at the next Session of the Zionist General Council or in the inter-Session period by mail/fax. The decision on such a vote is taken by the Presidium, in consultation with the Executive. The vote is valid if at least 50% of the Zionist General Council with voting rights participate.

Composition of the Zionist General Council

In pursuance of Article 32 Section 1 of the Constitution, the Congress elects the members of the Council entitled to vote in accordance with the relative strength of the Groupings in Congress. Every Congress Grouping is represented on the Council by a number of members equal to one-fifth of the total number of delegates of the respective Grouping. A remainder of at least three as a result of such division entitles a Grouping to an additional member on the Council.

The composition of the Zionist General Council elected at the Thirty-Fifth Zionist Congress is as follows:

Representatives of the World Unions and Zionist Organizations	113 members
Kadima-Hanoar Hazioni/Mercaz/Gil	29 members
Mizrachi/Haihud Haleumi/Herut	20 members
Labour Zionist Movement – Meretz	18 members
Arzenu	16 members
Hadassah/Confederation	10 members
Likud	8 members
Beitainu Olami (Israel Beitainu)	6 members
WIZO	6 members

Representatives of the International Jewish Organizations	56 members
World Sephardi Federation	8 members
B’nai B’rith International	8 members
Naamat	5 members
Maccabi World Union	5 members
Students Delegation	5 members
World Emunah	5 members
The Zionist Council in Israel	5 members
World Conference of Synagogues and Kehiloth (Orthodox)	5 members
World Council of Synagogues (Conservative)	5 members
World Union for Progressive Judaism (Reform)	5 members

18 Chairs of Zionist Federations of countries, which were represented at the foregoing Congress by 3 or more delegates are also members of the Zionist General Council with the same status as the members representing international Jewish organizations.

The Zionist Congress elects deputy members of the Council equal to twice the number of members.

The total number of Zionist General Council members is 187.