the zionist congress was established in 1897 by theodor herzl as the supreme organ of the zionist organization (zo) and its legislative authority. in 1960 the names were changed to world zionist congress ( "hakongres hatsioni haolami") and world zionist organization (wzo), respectively. the world zionist organization elects the officers and decides on the policies of the wzo and the jewish agency. the first zionist congress was held in basel, switzerland in 1897.