Meretz UK

Vote Jewish Labour-Meretz for a democratic Israel

Please note: this is NOT the official WZO elections registration site. You will be redirected to the official site after entering your details here.

Our Team

Lawrence Joffe

Led Meretz UK for over a decade. Oxford graduate, Guardian obituary writer, and author on Jewish history and the Middle East peace process.

Sam Engel

London-born freelance editor educated at the Jews' Free School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. His work has appeared in Jewish Renaissance and Moment.

Who We Are

We are the left joint slate for the World Zionist Organisation (WZO) election. Meretz UK is partnering with our friends at the Jewish Labour Movement to run as the ‘Jewish Labour—Meretz: For A Democratic Israel’ slate so we can increase our representation at the congress. This will only happen with a big turnout from our members at these elections.

Why Us

We have a rare opportunity to nudge things in Israel in a better direction. An annual budget of $1.5 billion is at stake. The far right and ultra orthodox parties are mobilising to get their hands on it. They will divert money to settlements and yeshivot. We can resist their takeover and instead use funds for purposes commensurate to our values – to support marginalised communities, promote equality and democracy- building, rebuilding the shattered kibbutzim and Jewish-Arab co-existence projects. Do not give Netanyahu and his cronies the pretext to claim he has the support of British and diaspora Jewry. Instead we can use our voice on the WZC to defend democracy and liberalism in Israel and the revival of two-state negotiations. Dark times call for political engagement – please register to vote and help create a better future.

When you vote JLM-Meretz you vote to:

📜 Influenced WZO Policies

Championed resolutions on democracy, judicial independence, LGBTQ+ rights, and Israel-Diaspora relations.

🌾 Redirected Funds from Settlements to Support Kibbutzim

Redirected funding to northern and southern Kibbutzim rehabilitation while reducing transfers to the settlements. Created Derech Ravid Project Strengthened informal education in the Gaza Envelope Kibbutzim. Phase 2 focuses on building new local Kibbutz communities and attracting families dedicated to kibbutz values.

🔍 Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (KKL – JNF) Oversight

Appointed board members aligned with our vision for the KKL-JNF board of directors. Pushed for full budget transparency within the Settlement Division, with budgets presented to the public for review.

♀️ Women’s Representation

We have secured 40% female representation within leadership and decision-making roles.

💙 Hashomer Hatzair

Expand support and collaboration with Hashomer Hatzair in Israel and in the diaspora.

💰 Nitzan Fund for Gender Equality

Philanthropic fund advancing gender equality initiatives in Israel – department funds infrastructure operations. We raised ₪1 million so far.

🎓 Joint Jewish-Arab Leadership Training

Developed post-high-school educational programs focused on equality and shared society.

⚖️ Zionism & Democracy

We implemented educational programs in high schools focusing on values from Israel’s Declaration of Independence, which was developed in response to the judicial reforms. We have hosted conferences emphasizing democracy’s central role in the Zionist vision, supporting democratic values in Zionism’s future.

🌈 LGBTQ+ Advocacy

Supported pride events worldwide, championed the World LGBTQ+ Jewish Congress, and launched an “LGBTQ+ Aliyah” platform.

✌️ Social Justice Centers

Advanced social justice centers are in cities across Israel, including mixed cities, periphery, and the Gaza Envelope, and they promote civic engagement and collaborative leadership.

💡 Ethiopian-Israeli Youth Leadership Programs

This is a yearly program where over 100 Ethiopian-Israeli teens develop Zionist pride, leadership skills, and familiarity with the story of Beta Israel. These future leaders are trained to inspire and represent their community.

✡️ Leading the Fight Against Antisemitism

We actively push for increased involvement and financial support of the WZO in the global fight against Antisemitism.

Our Elected Officials

Dror Morag

Dror Morag is the world union's leader at the national institutions, serving as a member of the Zionist Executive and the Jewish Agency Executive as well as Head of the Department for Social Activism and Tikkun Olam at the World Zionist Organization. Dror is the former Secretary-General of Meretz in Israel, he is a longtime Jewish organizational leader and social activist.

Ronit Snir

Ronit Snir is a member of the Zionist Executive at the World Zionist Organization and the Secretary-General of Hashomer Hatzair in Israel. A lifelong movement activist, feminist leader, and educator, she promotes gender equality and guides youth delegations to Poland.

Dario Teitelbaum

Dario Teitelbaum is the Secretary General of The World Union of Meretz and serves as WUM's representative at the national institutions. He is an educator and A dedicated member of the Hashomer Hatzair movement.

Our Main Goals for This Term

✡︎ Secure formal WZO recognition and funding for Secular and Humanistic Jewish communities in the Diaspora, establishing them as an officially recognized stream of Judaism.

🏡️ Raise ₪500 million for the rehabilitation of Kibbutzim devastated by the October 7th attack and the subsequent war.

💙 Strengthen and expand Hashomer Hatzair’s educational activities both in Israel and worldwide.

🔍 Enhance KKL-JNF oversight and redirect settlement expansion budgets toward sustainable development within Israel.

🙌 Advance our successful social justice programs throughout Israeli society. Improve the stance of women, LGBTQ+ people, Ethiopians, and Arabs.

✌️ Increase funding for Jewish-Arab initiatives that promote coexistence and shared society in Israel.

Don’t let Netanyahu and the far right hijack $1.5B—register to vote in the WZC and help steer Israel toward democracy, equality, and co-existence.

Your vote is our strongest tool to block extremism and invest in rebuilding a just, shared future for all Israelis.