Klal Yisrael, Jewish Unity,
and the Centrality of the State of Israel
Zionist Commitment in Israel and the Diaspora - Developing a Relevant Zionist Program

1. Rewriting the Jerusalem Programme

In light of the fact that some sections of the Jerusalem Programme of June 1969 are not realistic or relevant,

the Zionist Congress resolves that the Presidium of the Zionist General Council and the Zionist Executive form a committee, composed of representatives of all factions and viewpoints within the Zionist Movement, in order to reevaluate and consider updating the Jerusalem Programme in the Jewish year 5762.

2. Establishing an Operative Zionist Program Relevant to the Present Time

The 34th Zionist Congress instructs the Zionist Executive to present an operative Zionist program valid for our present-day reality, and to work toward the expansion of the spheres of influence among the Jews of the Diaspora, with special emphasis on activity with students and young people.

3. Strengthening Identification with the State of Israel

The Zionist Movement, from its outset, regards the responsibility for all of Israel and the unity of Israel as a great and necessary foundation for the reinforcement of identification with, and obligation to, the Jewish State of Israel. On the basis of the activity of the Zionist Executive,

the 34th Zionist Congress currently resolves to instruct the Zionist Executive to prepare:

i. a strategic worldwide program for the reinforcement and deepening of Jewish solidarity in general, and with the State of Israel in particular,

ii. an operative program for the cultivation and deepening of the connections between the spiritual, communal and organization leadership of all streams in the Diaspora, and the leadership and society in Israel,

iii. the Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora of the World Zionist Organization is regarded as an important and meaningful factor in the cultivation of the consciousness of Jewish belonging and identification, as well as obligation to the State of Israel.

4. One Hundred Year Anniversary of the Establishment of Religious Zionism - The Mizrachi Movement

The 34th Zionist Congress of 2002 marks the one hundred years since the establishment of the Mizrachi Movement in the Jewish year 5662, as well as its joining the World Zionist Organization.

The Zionist Congress congratulates and praises the Mizrachi World Movement and all its branches for the nurturing and cultivation of generations of religious Zionists, Bnei Torah and activists, who are integrated in all fields of Zionist activity: in aliyah, settlement, religious Zionist education, security, science, creativity and social involvement.

5. Hasbara

Whereas the need for Hasbara and Zionist education has become increasingly critical over the past few years as anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic attacks have intensified, and as the ideology of post-Zionism has been promulgated, and

whereas knowledge of and commitment to Zionist principles cannot be assumed, particularly among the younger generation, and

whereas support for Israel has become increasingly tenuous among Jews and non-Jews alike in recent years, and

whereas those who oppose Israel have become increasingly vociferous and sophisticated in their anti-Zionist campaigning,

be it hereby resolved that the World Zionist Organization, through the Department for Zionist Activities, accept the mandate to actively engage in Hasbara and Zionist education, through the use of all modern technological means - internet, television and radio - in order to strengthen the Jewish and Israeli heritage, and

be it further resolved that a special committee be established immediately, which will decide on effective ways to implement this, after having consulted with the Department for Zionist Activities, and whereby the possibility of cooperation with the Jewish Agency should be considered.

be it further resolved that the budget of the World Zionist Organization should reflect the implementation of this decision.

6. Jerusalem

1. Jerusalem has always been a central focus of Zionism, the symbol of the Jewish People, and its spiritual and cultural center, and its historic capital, it is to her that the Jewish People continue to turn from all over the world.

2. The Zionist Movement firmly stands behind the demand of the Israeli government and of the Jewish People to safeguard the unity of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel.

3. In order to strengthen Jerusalem as a symbol of the Jewish nation, the Zionist Congress attributes great importance to the channeling and encouragement of immigration to Jerusalem.

4. Jerusalem is an important center for the higher education of the Jewish people, including the Hebrew University as well as other academic institutions of higher learning, and secular and religious educational institutions on a high level, in the fields of the arts and different occupational fields. The effort will continue to direct Jewish youth to come and receive education for a period of time in Jerusalem, to encourage the participation of Jewish students in academic studies at the Hebrew University and in different colleges and yeshivot in Jerusalem.

5. The Zionist Congress calls upon the Jewish public throughout the world to continue to come to Jerusalem as tourists and visitors, and especially visits to Jerusalem by young people and students, despite the security problems. Visits of this kind are an important layer in the continuing existence of the Jewish People.

6. It is necessary to continue the effort to strengthen Jerusalem's economy in those areas special to her, among them tourism, medicine, hi-technology, culture, higher education, government, National Institutions, and to expand infrastructures and the support of the channeling of special encouragement given on behalf of the Jewish People and the State, to Jerusalem.

7. Zionism in Israel

1. The Zionist Movement regards the Law of Return and its protection as a treasure of eternal value, which should not be changed, and the status of which should not be harmed.

2. The Zionist Congress calls upon the Ministry of Education to increase education toward a Jewish Zionist identity and toward love of the land, and toward the values of Jewish culture and heritage, by preparing appropriate programmes for schools and increasing the amount of teaching hours allocated to this subject at schools.

3. The Zionist Congress calls upon the national institutions to awaken and push forward Zionist activity in Israel, and to cultivate bodies that are dealing with Zionist thinking and activity, so as to help create a Zionist atmosphere in Israel.

4. The Zionist Congress calls upon all National Institutions to make efforts and help strengthen the connection between Israeli society and the Jewish People and the Jewish communities abroad, by means of aiding organizations and institutions world wide, and other youth movements, women's movements, student organizations and schools, through activities that focus upon the subject of the Jewish People.

5. The Zionist Congress calls upon the Government of Israel to consider as important, and as their responsibility, to aid the Jewish communities as part of the mutual guarantee between Israel and the Diaspora.

8. Pardon for Jonathan Pollard

The 34th Zionist Congress:

Calls upon the President of the United States, Mr. George W. Bush, to pardon Jonathan Pollard and free him;

Calls upon all Jewish and Zionist activists in the world, and in particular in the United States, to participate in the activities to free Jonathan Pollard from continued imprisonment;

Charges the Zionist General Council to adopt a plan of action to achieve the freedom of Jonathan Pollard. Such plan shall include educational and supporting activities.

9. Solidarity

Whereas murderous terror and terrorist attacks are being carried out constantly against the citizens of Israel by cowardly murderers;

And whereas a slanderous propaganda system is aiming to delegitimize the State of Israel and slander it;

And whereas a sharp wave of anti-Semitism wave is taking place, in its most violent and propagandist forms;

Therefore we are declaring again the supreme value of the mutual guarantee and responsibility between each and every Jew, each and every community and between the
State of Israel and the Diaspora. Jewish solidarity is an existential asset for assuring the well being of our people and its future;

The Zionist Congress expresses its gratitude and appreciation towards the expressions of solidarity with Israel, which we have seen during the last year amongst many Jews worldwide.
The World Zionist Organization, in its national and global frameworks, and the delegates of
the 34th Zionist Congress, will lead the campaign for Israel and against terror and anti-Semitism once they are back in their countries, by initiating and participating in:

i. Rallies to support Israel and oppose terror
ii. Activities against anti-Semitism world wide
iii. Follow-up of unfair media coverage
iv. Persuasion and explanation operations in front of parliaments and governments
v. Organization of solidarity missions to Israel
vi. The Israel Emergency Campaign
vii. Recruitment of supporters within the non-Jewish public, against anti-Semitism and terror and in favor of the State of Israel

The Congress salutes our friends, people with conscience and morale values, who oppose the
anti-Semitism that is rearing its ugly head.