Bielski elected new head of the Jewish Agency

Zeev Bielski has been unanimously confirmed as chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) on Friday, after former Israel minister Natan Sharansky's candidacy was vetoed by a senior JAFI panel. A nine-person advisory committee – comprised of the agency's key financial backers – was said to have objected to Sharansky's candidacy on the grounds that he has been one of the most vocal opponents of prime minister Sharon's disengagement plan from Gaza and feared he would use his position as JAFI chairman to undermine it. Bielski told members of the Zionist General Council in a speech on Friday that he would be the "chairman of everyone" and paid tribute to Sharansky. Many Likud members boycotted the General Council meeting, expressing their disgust at the decision by the advisory committee to disallow a vote between both candidates.