Jerusalem Politician Breaks Ground as First Female Secretary-General of World Confederation of United Zionists
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum aims to reinvigorate and reclaim Zionism. Historian and activist Gil Troy agrees, ‘We will not let them define us’
Outgoing Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum was installed as the first female secretary-general of the World Confederation of United Zionists, a faction of Kol Israel, the ideological successor of the General Zionists, against the historical backdrop of Chaim Weizmann’s foundational leadership—a step forward in the evolution of Zionist leadership and a commitment to inclusivity and unity within the global Jewish community.
Hassan-Nahoum, raised in Gibraltar, is a lawyer by training and has been at the forefront of initiating women and business forums since she moved to Israel in 2001. She shared her vision with The Media Line, articulating what she believes is Israel’s critical juncture: “We have been here for 75 years. We are going on 76 years, and we’ve had sovereignty over our land twice before, but we’ve never gotten past the 80-year mark because of internal divisions.
Members of the World Confederation of United Zionists at the inauguration, Feb. 25, 2024. (Felice Friedson)
“This is the moment to unite the Jewish people, not just in Israel, but around the world, so that people understand that we’re one family. We have the same enemies, and we will prevail only if we can get together, really focus on what unites us, and focus on the task ahead.”
Reform by itself is not a bad thing. It’s how it’s done.
David Yaari, Kol Israel chair, agreed that unity is one of the key needs that Israel must focus on, but told The Media Line he also wants a constitution. “We have talked for so long, but it’s in the moment of great crisis that you have the opportunity, and this is the moment to seize the opportunity and put forth ideas for a constitution for the county that includes the rights that expand on the rights of independence. Reform by itself is not a bad thing. It’s how it’s done.”
Hassan-Nahoum, for her part, emphasized the need for a collective effort to address common challenges, including what she calls the ‘hijacking’ of Zionism. “Instead of it being interpreted as the most exciting decolonization project over the last 100 years, it’s been given all sorts of dirty baggage.”
“Every movement that changes the status quo, there is always going to be a counter-movement. The counter-movement is simply antisemitism in a new way. Five hundred years ago, antisemitism was religious, and my family was kicked out of Spain as a result. One hundred years ago, it was ethnic, and that’s why the Holocaust happened.
“Today, it’s about the Jewish collective. It’s about our national homeland. That’s why Zionism has been delegitimized, but it’s our job to rebrand it, to bring innovation to Zionism, and to bring the Jewish people together behind that.”
The World Confederation of United Zionists. (Felice Friedson)
Gil Troy, a professor of history at McGill University and leading Zionist activist, shared with The Media Line his perspective on how to reclaim the hijacking and empower the Zionist movement: “We can strengthen our core. We can speak to students, professors, donors, and parents, and we can say this is unacceptable.”
“I may not be able to change the world, but educators work one by one, and that is why it’s so important that we have a Zionist vision and a strong Zionist movement. We will not let them define us.”
Upon her appointment, Hassan-Nahoum emphasized her commitment to leading the World Confederation of United Zionists towards modern, innovative Zionism. She expressed concern over the politicization and stagnation that has affected national Jewish institutions, advocating for a renewed focus on Jewish unity and the advancement of Zionism for future generations.
Additionally, Hassan-Nahoum expressed her aim to invigorate the Zionist movement with fresh perspectives and strategies to address contemporary challenges faced by the global Jewish community.
As the first woman to step into this prestigious role, she expressed to The Media Line her hope that her pioneering journey would make a lasting impact: “I hope he [Chaim Weizmann] would be proud that an immigrant like me managed to also lead the Jewish people at our moment of crisis.”
