Committee 1
A Democratic Jewish State Based on the Principles of Zionism

Draft Resolution No. 1/1

Submitted by Aharon Yadlin, Arieh Azulai, Michael Landsberg
The World Labor Zionist Movement

The Zionist Congress calls upon all Zionist factors, i.e. the government, the Jewish Agency and the political leadership, to do everything in order to find ways of deepening the Jewish-Zionist as well as the democratic character of the State of Israel.

The Zionist Congress calls on the government of Israel and the Knesset to consistently and decisively work to establish a Jewish majority in the State of Israel, and to view the demographic issue as being of critical importance for the future of the State of Israel.

The Zionist Congress blesses the Jewish Agency and the Zionist Council in Israel for their involvement in projects for cooperation and increased understanding with the Druze Community, and it calls for a deepening of the relationship with this group as a reliable partner in the Zionist Enterprise and in the State of Israel.

The Zionist congress calls on the Arab citizens of Israel to integrate themselves as equal citizens of the State of Israel, as well as on the government to avoid any form of discrimination against the Arab sector in Israel.

Draft Resolution No. 1 / 2

Submitted by Solly Sacks
Mizrachi, Hapoel-HaMizrahi, Meimad, Gesher

The 34th World Zionist Congress views the Declaration of Independence of 14/5/1948 as the basic declaration regarding the proclamation of the establishment of a Jewish state in the land of Israel. It represents the very basis of the State of Israel as a democratic Jewish state, and the realization of the dream of a Jewish state as seen by Dr. Theodor Herzl, who declared the right of the Jewish people to national rebirth in their homeland, as determined in the Declaration of Independence: "We herewith declare the establishment of a Jewish state in the land of Israel, the State of Israel", which will be based on the principles of freedom, justice and peace, according to the prophets of Israel, in which there will be equal rights, socially and politically, for all its citizens, without distinction of religion, race and gender, and which obliges itself to freedom of religion, conscience, speech, education and culture.

The 34th Zionist Congress calls upon the elected institutions of the State of Israel to properly apply the principles of the Declaration of Independence, so as to ensure that the State of Israel will be a Jewish and democratic state, which represents a spiritual national center, as well as a source of inspiration for Jews worldwide.

Draft Resolution No. 1 / 3

Submitted by Paula Edelstein
The New Faction

Whereas the Zionist Movement is holding up the Zionist flag, and
Whereas the State of Israel is defined as a Zionist state, and
Whereas the State of Israel is the creation of the World Zionist Congress,

be it resolved that Israel is a Jewish Zionist and democratic state.

Explanation

To us, it is of supreme importance to repeat and emphasize that the State of Israel is not only a Jewish and democratic state, but that it is Zionist as well, and that the values of Zionism are also the basic values of the State of Israel, for which we, as a Zionist movement, must continue to fight.

Draft Resolution No. 1 / 4

Submitted by Hannah Melamed
World Emunah

Whereas the State of Israel was established as a Jewish, democratic and Zionist state,

Therefore be it resolved that the World Zionist Congress issues a call to base all its educational projects upon these same principles of Judaism, democracy and Zionism.

Draft Resolution No. 1 / 5

Submitted by the Rabbi Joseph Wernik
World Mercaz

Whereas it is of utmost importance for the future and unity of the Jewish people in the
Diaspora, and for its ongoing connection with the State of Israel, and

whereas freedom of choice in marriage and divorce is an important element in advancing the integration of over 300,000 Olim from the former Soviet
Union, who are not Jewish by Halacha,

therefore the Zionist Congress

(i) endorses the "Basic Law: Freedom of Religion" approved in preliminary reading by the Knesset on December 12, 2000; (appended to this resolution)
(ii) supports the struggle to pass this Law
(iii) calls upon the Knesset to move ahead expeditiously in moving this proposed law through the required process until its adoption.

Appendix to Draft Resolution No. 1 / 5: Draft Resolution for a Constitution: Freedom of
Religion and Conscience - 1999

Foundations of the Law
1. The basic human rights in Israel are based upon the recognition of the value of a human being, of the sanctity of their life, and of their freedom, and will be respected in the spirit of the principles contained within the Declaration of the State of Israel.

The Goals of the Law
2. This constitution is to protect the freedom of religion and conscience, so as to anchor in it
the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.

The Freedom of Religion and the Freedom from Religion
3. a. The right to freedom of religion, faith and conscience is granted to every person
and cannot be violated.
ii. No person can be forced to belong to a religion, religious group or religious stream of any kind.
iii. The freedom of ritual, as well as the keeping of Mitzvoth, is ensured for the individual, as well as for the public as such.

Prohibition of Discrimination Due to Religious Conviction
4. The same law applies to all, without distinction based on religion, faith or life style, and no right should be violated from among the human and civil rights due to one of the latter.

Freedom from Religious Force
5. The individual and / or public right to live their lives undisturbed should not be limited. No way of life should be forced upon anyone, and the religious feelings and conscience of no one should be hurt beyond the extent, which is appropriate or necessary.

The Right to Marriage and Divorce
6. Anyone who has reached marriageable age should be allowed to enter the bond of marriage and to establish a family, with no limitation due to race, citizenship or religion. They are entitled to equal rights in getting married, during the period of marriage, as well as at the time of its dissolution.

The Right to Choose Education
7. The parents have the prerogative to choose a way of education for their children.

The Right of Burial
8. Every person is entitled to a proper burial according to his choice.

Equality of Streams
9. No discrimination should be made between religious streams.

Funding Religious Services
10. a. The state, based upon equality, participates in funding religious services, as well as leadership and judicial institutions, institutions of ritual and instruction, qualification and research, for each religious group and stream that wish to get this kind of participation.
b. Religious institutions will be exempt from tax payments. This however, does not apply to workers who are employed at such institutions in return for a salary.

The Realization of Rights
11. The realization of rights according to this constitution should not damage the rights of one's fellow or the public order.

The Power of This Law (the Power of Its Validity)
12. The rights anchored in this constitution cannot be altered other than by a constitution that is accepted by a majority of 80 Knesset members, which embodies the values of the State of Israel, which is of proper content, in case this present constitution does not respond to what is required.

Preponderance of the Law
13. This constitution is superior to all other laws that have been valid prior to its creation.

Existence of the Law
14. Each of the leadership authorities must respect the rights that have been anchored in this constitution and ensure their application.

Draft Resolution No. 1 / 6

Submitted by Dr. Etti Serok
World Mercaz

Strengthening the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state

Whereas according to the principles of Zionism, the people of Israel have aspired to establish a national home for the Jewish nation in the State of Israel, and

whereas the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel proclaims the State of Israel as a state that is "based upon the principles of freedom, justice and peace, according to the visions of the prophets of Israel, there will be full equality of social and political rights for all its citizens without regard to religion, race or gender, and freedom of religion, conscience, speech, education and culture will be ensured",

the Zionist Movement sees itself obliged to continue to work toward the establishment of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and to help and support the institutions of the State of Israel that are working toward the proper establishment of the democratic principles in the state.

The Zionist Congress wishes to add observers as representatives of the Zionist Movement in the committees of the Knesset of the State of Israel. These will deal with subjects such as: the legislative committee of the Knesset, the educational committee and the interior committee. The representatives of the Zionist Movement will serve as observers with the option of acting as advisors, but without the right to vote.

The Zionist Congress authorizes the Zionist administration and the leaders of the Zionist General Council to establish a team of five representatives, to will work with the legislative committee of the Knesset to examine the issue, and who will present their final conclusions to the next Zionist General Council.

A current report will be given to the Zionist Executive, as well as to the Presidium of the Zionist General Council, during the next year. The committee, in cooperation with the representatives of the departments of the World Zionist Organization, will create a program for the intensification of democratic education in Israeli society, and for cooperation with additional factors in this field in Israel.

Draft Resolution No. 1 / 7

Submitted by Dani Danon
World Likud

Flying the National Flag

At a time when the residents of the State of Israel are subject to terrorist attacks, Jews worldwide are exposed to a new wave of Anti-Semitism and Israeli flags are burnt in demonstrations, the 34th Zionist Congress calls for national Zionist education in the land of Israel, as well as in the Diaspora.

Since the flag of the State of Israel is an important and meaningful symbol for each and every Jew, the 34th Zionist Congress, in accordance with the Flag Law that has been passed in the Knesset of Israel, has decided that the national flag will be placed or hung in all institutions, organizations and projects of, or supported by, the Jewish Agency in Israel and in the Diaspora.

Draft Resolution No. 1 / 8

Submitted by Sheva Friedman
World Union of Meretz

The State of Israel is a Jewish democratic state, which respects the religious, cultural and social individualism and differences between all components of Israeli society.

The values of Zionism have been established according to the fathers of Zionism, and have been expressed in the Declaration of Independence. They have grown into a basic law in the Jewish democratic state, according to the vision of the prophets of Israel.

The State of Israel grants equal rights to all its citizens, with no difference regarding religion, race or gender.

The combination of the universal principles of Judaism on the one hand, and of the principles of democracy on the other, create the basis for the balance that is necessary for relations between majorities and minorities within the State of Israel.

The State of Israel is the state of the Jewish people and all its citizens.

Draft Resolution No. 1 / 9

Submitted by Nadav Kidron
World Yavne

Since the establishment of the State of Israel according to the principle of a democratic Jewish state, according to the Declaration of Independence and according to Dr. Theodor Herzl's dream, the State of Israel has drawn its ideological inspiration from the principles of Zionism.

The 34th Zionist Congress appreciates the promotion of studies on this subject among Jewish students and young people in the Diaspora, and calls to expand and strengthen programs that provide Zionist knowledge as well as knowledge of the history of Zionism among the young generation.

Draft Resolution No. 1 / 10

Submitted by Moshe Testa
The Zionist Council in Israel

At this time, the Zionist Congress views the issue of demography as of being of critical importance for the Jewish-Zionist future of the State of Israel; ensuring a large and stable Jewish majority is necessary. Present tendencies threaten this majority, and therefore it is necessary to urgently act in order to ensure a Jewish majority.