Senior figures in the World Zionist Organization are opposing the appointment of former minister Ofer Akunis as chairman of Keren Hayesod. Members of the liberal bloc, representing Labor, Meretz, Yisrael Beiteinu, and the Reform and Conservative movements, object to filling the post on the eve of the Knesset election, and the organization’s leadership is set to discuss the issue tomorrow.
Keren Hayesod, also known as the United Israel Appeal, is the leading global fundraising organization for Israel. Founded in 1920 as the Jewish people’s and Zionist movement’s fundraising arm, it is one of the four national institutions, posts that are often treated as political appointments with high salaries, advisers, assistants, overseas travel, and a company car.
In October 2025, the parties and movements in the World Zionist Congress reached a deal dividing posts among the national institutions, including the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency, KKL, and Keren Hayesod. Under that agreement, the prime minister’s nominee was to be recommended for Keren Hayesod chairmanship by January 2026, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed naming his candidate. Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar led the arrangement on Netanyahu’s behalf.
Opponents argue that the timing, just before elections expected at the end of October, makes the move improper, especially because the role is for five years and should wait until a new government is formed. Recently, it was reported that Netanyahu wants to appoint Caroline Glick as Israel’s consul in New York instead of Akunis, while the appointment process for Keren Hayesod has been handled by an appointments committee led by Rabbi Doron Perez. The committee examined Akunis and Shifra Shahar, who is considered close to the prime minister’s wife, and includes Yaakov Hagoel, Masha Lubelsky, Yizhar Hess, Eliran Shmueli, and Itai Vana. Despite the resistance, Netanyahu is pushing hard for Akunis, and coalition estimates say a majority for his nomination will eventually be found. Zohar’s office said the chairmanship is expected to be filled immediately, not postponed until after the election, because that was part of the coalition agreements.
