after the first zionist congress in 1897, the zionist congress met every year until 1901, then every second year from 1903 to 1913 and 1921 to 1939. until 1946, the congress was held every two years in various european cities, save for interruptions during the two world wars. their goal was to build an infrastructure to further the cause of jewish settlement in palestine. since the second world war, meetings have been held approximately every four years. also, since the creation of the state of israel, the congress has met every four or five years in jerusalem.