World Zionist Organization

The World Zionist Organization, or WZO, was founded as the Zionist Organization, or ZO, on September 3, 1897, at the First Zionist Congress held in Basel, Switzerland. The ZO served as an umbrella organization for the Zionist movement. Theodor Herzl, who organized the first Congress, later wrote, "At Basle I founded the Jewish State...Perhaps in five years, and certainly in fifty, everyone will know it."

Membership and delegations

Membership in the WZO was open to all Jews, and the right to vote for delegates to the Congresses was secured by the purchase of the Zionist Shekel. Delegations from all around the world, and from many different political backgrounds and religious traditions, took part in each Congress; delegations/parties were mainly grouped by ideology, rather than by geography.

Related Topics:
Jew - Zionist Shekel

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~