A Heated Dispute Shakes the World Zionist Congress Election
The World Zionist Congress (WZC) election has been rocked by a controversy involving Ronn Torossian, head of Betar USA, and his removal from the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) slate by the Area Election Committee (AEC). This decision, made after a contentious hearing, highlights a deep ideological rift within the Zionist movement and raises questions about the future of leadership and representation.
The dispute centers around aggressive verbal attacks and alleged threats made by Torossian against Shai Davidai, a former candidate for Kol Israel. A complaint filed by Kol Israel in February, detailing inflammatory rhetoric and belligerent behavior, prompted the ZOA to bring the matter before the AEC on March 17.
The AEC's Decision and its Aftermath
The AEC's Monday hearing focused on the exchanges between Davidai and Torossian, concluding that both violated campaign rules prohibiting demeaning or denigrating opponents. However, the committee placed the primary blame on Torossian, citing aggressive, hateful, and vulgar attacks that offended the chairs and even included threats of physical violence. The AEC's decision was clear: Torossian's removal from the ZOA slate as a delegate.
- Torossian's Removal: The AEC ordered Torossian's removal from the ZOA slate due to repeated and offensive campaign violations.
- ZOA's Appeal: The ZOA has appealed the decision, with Torossian expressing confidence in a reversal.
- Davidai's Sanction: While Davidai had withdrawn from the Kol Israel slate, he too was sanctioned for his role in the dispute.
Torossian has framed the decision as a politically motivated attack from the "woke left," linking it to broader criticisms of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and conservative viewpoints. He argues that his advocacy against boycotts of Israel justified his actions. This narrative is fiercely contested by Kol Israel, who point to months of online and offline harassment and threats targeted at their delegates and partners.
Kol Israel Secretary General Fleur Hassan-Nahoum emphasized the need for unity within the Jewish community, stating that internal battles distract from external threats. The AEC's decision, she argued, reinforces the importance of respectful conduct during the WZC election.
Underlying Issues and Accusations
The dispute goes beyond mere campaign violations. It involves accusations of blackmail, defamation, and even threats against Davidai and his family, stemming from a 2024 article where Davidai discussed his purchasing habits related to the 1967 armistice line and criticized Kol Israel's alleged support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
- Allegations of Blackmail: Torossian was accused of threatening StandWithUs (SWU), a Kol Israel member group, with accusations of pro-BDS sympathies unless they yielded to his demands.
- Controversial Social Media Post: Betar USA's response to a social media post about Palestinian children killed during the Israel-Hamas war, stating "Not enough. We demand blood in Gaza!", further fueled the controversy.
- ADL Listing: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recently added Betar USA to its list of extremist groups, a move that Torossian claims is politically timed and connected to the Kol Israel complaint. The fact that the second candidate on Kol Israel's list is ADL New York/New Jersey director Scott Richman further fuels this perception.
Torossian's claim that Davidai threatened Betar, and the ZOA's allegation of Davidai denigrating Betar as terrorists, add further layers to this complex and highly charged situation.
Conclusion: A Clash of Ideologies
The Torossian-Davidai dispute represents more than a campaign spat; it's a battle over the future of Zionism and Jewish leadership. The AEC's decision, while focusing on campaign violations, has inadvertently exposed a deep ideological divide and raised significant questions about acceptable standards of discourse within the Zionist movement. The upcoming WZC election, set to conclude on May 4th, will undoubtedly be shaped by the fallout from this controversy.
