Arutz Sheva attended the annual gathering of the Zionist General Council which was held in Jerusalem. The gathering was entitled “Empowering Women within the Zionist Enterprise.” 400 people from around the world took part, including many women who have made it their life’s work to contribute to society.
The gathering opened with a special ceremony on Mount Herzl in the presence of Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat.
The Zionist General Council is the supreme institution of the Zionist movement in the inter-Congress period. It oversees 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.
According to Zionist General Council Chair Helena Glaser, visionary Theodor Herzl who founded Zionism recognized women’s importance early on, and gave them the right to vote in the second World Zionist Congress in 1898. This was unique for that time period, as women in many countries did not yet have the right to vote.
“As a leader of our Zionist movement, [Herzl] thought of equality,” she said. “He thought of the role of the woman as a Zionist and he also said that women have a task: to spread Zionism within their circle and to instill Zionism within their family and to their children.”
Glaser added, “Women have the foresight, they have dreams, but they are also very practical. They always try to fulfill those dreams. Zionist women throughout the Jewish world support the State of Israel and support the people of Israel by sponsoring so many projects for children, health, education, and welfare.”