Yaakov Hagoel

'Yaakov Hagoel' (born February 19, 1971) (Hebrew: יעקב חגואל), is the current Vice Chairman of the World Zionist Organization and the former Head of the Department for Activities in Israel & Countering Antisemitism. In the past he served as Executive CEO of World Betar. On August 27, 2015 he assumed leadership of World Likud following the departure of the former head of the organization Danny Danon, who vacated due to his appointment as the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations.

Hagoel was born in 1971 in Tel Aviv. Before serving in the Israel Defense Forces, he volunteered for a year in the southern city of Ofakim. During his military service, he served in the Nahal unit. Following his regular service, he joined the army reserves in the Gaza Division. He studied law at the Ono Academic College and earned an LL.B.

During the 37th Zionist Congress, which took place in October, 2015, Hagoel was elected to the position of Vice Chairman of the World Zionist Organization.

Hagoel was elected to the position of the WZO's Department for Activities in Israel & Countering Antisemitism in 2010. In this capacity, he has chaired meetings, lectures and conferences in the field of countering Antisemitism. He founded the Center for Countering Antisemitism at the World Zionist Organization.

Hagoel joined the ranks of the Betar youth movement at a young age, eventually becoming the Treasurer and later the Executive CEO of World Betar. He served as Chairman of the Council of World Zionist Youth Movements, Presidium Member of the Zionist Executive Committee, member of the WZO Finance Committee and Executive CEO of the World Leadership of the Betar Movement. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Agency since 2010. Additionally, Hagoel serves as Co-Chair of the Task Force on Countering Antisemitism of the Jewish Agency's Board of Trustees, a member of the Board of Governors of Keren Hayesod—United Israel Appeal, and a member of the Herzl Council and the Jabostinky's Council of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office. He also serves as a member of Executive Committee of the Ariel University. In 2011 Hagoel was elected to serve as a member of the Yad Vashem Council. Hagoel became the Chairman of World Likud in July 2015 and in October was elected Vice Chairman of the World Zionist Organization during the World Zionist Congress that took place in Jerusalem. Hagoel lives in Netanya and is married to Tehiya with four children.

• Poll: 85% of Jews worldwide experienced or saw anti-Semitism. Israel Hayom | 13 January 2017
• Herzog and Edelstein agree: Not all criticism of Israel is antisemitism. Jerusalem Post | 16 January 2017
• Stabbing part of growing global trend of anti-Semitic violence, says Hagoel. Haaretz / Associated Press
• Response to Call for French Jews to hide kippot. Jerusalem Post
• Yaakov Hagoel warns of increased anti-Semitism throughout Europe Israel National News
• The Israeli Mission to the United Nations and the AJC hosted "The Battle for Zionism" Jewish Journal
• The Jews are easy prey for the hatred and incitement YNET News
• Zionist Anti BDS Conference Israel National News
• Nike's World Cup Video Slammed as Anti-Semitic Israel National News
• Yaakov Hagoel interview on Israel Channel 10 (Hebrew)