There seems to be a point of view here that “people chose who is a gadol.” This is an error. When we wish to learn who is the best orthopedic surgeon (in say, the U.S. or in the world) do we ask the local taxi drivers? Or the butchers or grocery store owners? No, we ask the local orthopedic surgeons who among you is the best? The knowledgeable ones in the field know who among them is the biggest expert.
It’s the same when determining who is the gadol hador (there can be more than one). The talmidei chachomim of the generation all know who among them is the biggest expert. These person(s) are the gedolei hador. Any other determination is a foolish waste of time.
Furthermore, the RZ claim that “some gedolim support or supported zionism” is ludicrous, since until a few years ago, this movement denied the validity of the entire concept of a “gadol hador” who was a source of “da’as Torah.” Even nowadays, some RZ politicians openly declare that they do not and will not consult rabbonim (even “regular rabbis” who are not “gedolei hador”) in matters of “public conduct” (i.e., politics). So, to then turn around and claim, “well, we have OUR gedolim” so why don’t you (chareidim) abandon your sages and start following my sages?” is completely beyond comprehension.