Hovevei Zion
He had become a prominent figure in the proto-Zionist "Hovevei Zion" movement and was part of the leadership of the Bilu movement, founded in 1882. In 1885 the movement sent him to what is now Israel following an argument with the heads of the Jewish "Yishuv", regarding the use of funds sent to the Holy Land from the Jewish diaspora. "Hovevei Zion" thought the money should be spent on founding new Jewish colonies, while the heads of the "Yishuv", naturally disagreed. Wissotzky was given the role of touring the land in order to find a way of solving the debate, while keeping everyone happy.