Netanyahu Called to Nationalize and Shut Down WZO & KKL Assets, Says Marty Oliner

by Shira Miller

In a scathing critique of what he describes as institutional corruption, prominent Jewish organizational leader Marty Oliner has publicly called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take decisive action by nationalizing the Keren Kayemet L’Yisrael’s assets and permanently shutting down the World Zionist Organization.

“The time has come for this to end,” stated Oliner, acknowledging that he has previously led organizations that benefited from WZO funding, but insisting this experience only “reinforced my belief that it needs to be shut down.”

The controversial proposal comes amid growing scrutiny of the 128-year-old organization, which Oliner characterizes as “a relic of socialism” that has made “money an obsession” while operating without proper oversight or transparency.

“It is quite telling that it is impossible to find any budget anywhere,” remarked a WZO critic who wished to retain anonymity.  “There are billions that are being allocated and we do not know where it is going.  Many people are getting cushy jobs for no reason.  It is a complete waste of Jewish resources.”  

According to Oliner’s assessment, the WZO’s original ideological foundations have eroded, leaving behind “a new assortment of mercenaries from all corners of the Jewish ideological world, fighting over money that should have never been allocated in the first place.”

Of particular concern is the Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (KKL), which Oliner describes as controlling “an enormous war chest of land” while operating without adequate financial controls. This situation has reportedly prompted the Jewish National Fund-USA and other former partners to sever ties with the organization.

Oliner suggests that Netanyahu, who recently demonstrated his willingness to challenge American Jewish institutional leadership by meeting with Christian evangelicals while declining meetings with Jewish leaders during his U.S. visit, should now take the bold step of canceling the upcoming WZO election and nationalizing it and KKL funds.

The timing of Israel’s current multifront war provides what Oliner sees as an opportune moment for such action, arguing that “ordinary Jews around the world, who do not benefit from the WZO’s continued existence, will completely understand.”

Critics of the organization point to recent controversies, including an alleged attempt by “Likud hacks” led by Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar to take control of World Likud ahead of the WZO election to secure its financial allocations.

Oliner insists that the WZO’s functions of connecting Diaspora Jews with Israel can be performed by other organizations “without such bureaucracy and waste,” while emphasizing that “decisions about Israel should be made by people who live in Israel.”

It only causes confusion and provocation among people who would otherwise get along.