The World Zionist Organization is going ahead with a radical reorganization of its overseas emissary system. The shlichim (emissaries) will henceforth be representatives of the WZO Executive, rather than of any individual department, and they will be required by contract to engage in aliya, education, youth work, and all other Zionist-related activities as directed by an overall WZO director in each country.
WZO chairman Leon Dulzin told reporters last week the reform would cut down on politicization both in appointments and in deployment within the emissary system. “There will no longer be protectzionaires (the favorite) of the various departments among the shlichim,” Dulzin said.
The reform follows a thorough study of the issue by a panel headed by former Supreme Court President Justice Moshe Landau. The emissary system costs the WZO some $20 million a year about one-third of its total budget. There are some 700 shlichim.
Dulzin said the reform could save as much as $4 million. It would go into effect in the four main centers–in the new fiscal year.
The reformed system will be supervised by a special committee comprising the WZO chairman and treasurer, the chairmen of four key departments, two members of the public and two representatives of the Zionist youth movements.
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