Rabbi Michael Melchior slated to become next WZO head

Rabbi Michael Melchior is slated to head the World Zionist Organization as of next month, after Kadima chairperson Tzipi Livni invited him to join the organization on her party's ticket, Haaretz has learned.

The WZO has been without a chairperson for several weeks, since Zeev Bielski resigned after becoming a Kadima Knesset member. The job is hence under Kadima's control.

Melchior may become chairman on August 3, at a meeting of the organization's steering committee comprising 22 representatives of Zionist movements and political parties. The selection is expected to be confirmed next year by the Zionist Congress.

Instead of putting forth one her own party members, Livni asked Danish-born Melchior - head of the dovish religious Meimad movement - to replace Bielski. "The offer was made out of the recognition that Melchior is a man of stature with a deep understanding of the Diaspora," said David Breakstone from the Conservative movement, Kadima's partner in the WZO alliance which supports Melchior's nomination.

But a prominent WZO member said: "It's sad that Kadima has so few worthy men and women that it can't even propose its own candidate."

Melchior's name came up as a leading candidate about a month ago, and his candidacy was agreed upon by a majority of the 22 representatives, including Likud and Gil, the pensioners' party. However, according to some sources, that deal may be falling apart. "I heard that some of the people who agreed on my nomination are rethinking the deal now," Melchior told Haaretz. "I suppose party interests are legitimate, but I was touched when Kadima offered to give up a seat for me though I made it clear that I would not join the party. It's unusual in Israeli politics."

Mizrachi, also represented in the 22-member forum, did not sign the deal and opposes the nomination, World Mizrachi Chairman Zevulon Orlev told Haaretz.

The World Zionist Organization - which runs a number of projects including the Hagshama program for instilling Zionist leadership in young Diaspora Jews - received an annual budget of a $7.3 million in 2008.