Members Back Controversial Motion
Delegates at the Green Party's annual conference in Brighton have voted to adopt a policy that equates Zionism with racism and advocates for a single Palestinian state replacing Israel. The motion passed by 1,022 votes to 813, making it formal party policy. The proposal, titled 'Zionism is racism', was brought forward by a group called Greens for Palestine, which encouraged non-members to join the party to ensure the motion was debated and adopted. After the result was announced, supporters gathered at the front of the hall to hug and cheer.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S5]
According to the motion, Zionism is racist by nature since it gives preference to one ethnic group while subjugating others. The text clarifies that the policy is aimed at the political ideology and practice of Zionism rather than at the religion or ethnicity of self-identified Zionists, pointing out that the two categories do not fully overlap. The party's anti-racism policy working group will handle implementation. Research from the Institute for Jewish Policy Research indicates that roughly two-thirds of British Jews describe themselves as Zionists.[S1]
Party Divided as MPs Oppose
Opposition to the motion came publicly from four of the party's five MPs. Adrian Ramsay, an MP and former co-leader, described himself as deeply saddened by the outcome, saying that backing a single Palestinian state sits uneasily with Green support for self-determination. Carla Denyer, MP for Bristol Central and a former co-leader, and Caroline Lucas, the party's first MP and a former leader, both voiced objections during the debate. Party leader Zack Polanski has described Zionism as a racist idea, but he was absent from the vote while campaigning in Holborn and St Pancras, where a parliamentary byelection is due next week.[S1]
Earlier votes saw one amendment carried that brings other sections of Green policy into line with the motion. Three further amendments failed, among them a proposal that would have barred using the motion to pressure, proscribe or discipline members because of their ties to Jewish community institutions. A survey conducted by the group Jewish Greens showed its members divided over whether to fight the motion, with 81% stating they do not consider themselves Zionist. The group plans to speak publicly only after it has consulted its members.[S1]
Legal and Community Backlash
Adam Wagner KC, a barrister who brought a case that found Jeremy Corbyn's Labour had breached equalities legislation on antisemitism, warned there is a significant danger the motion breaches the Equality Act 2010, which covers political parties. In his view it could amount to discrimination and harassment against people holding Zionist beliefs and against Jewish people more broadly, and Zionism in its wider meaning is probably a protected belief under the Act. He cautioned that the policy might foster an environment that is intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive for Zionists and Jewish people alike. Some members are seeking legal advice about a possible challenge.[S1]
The Movement for Progressive Judaism criticised the vote, describing the motion as antisemitic in both its wording and its intent. The group said that in passing it, the Green Party had turned antisemitism into official party policy and become a racist party, and that labelling Jewish self-determination racist amounts to an attack on Jews. In reply, the Green Party said the debate had been serious and deeply felt, and restated its rejection of racism in every form, its dedication to equality and human rights, and its opposition to the unlawful occupation of Palestinian and Syrian land and to arms sales to the Israeli government.[S1]
