Green Party faces backlash over motion defining Zionism as racism
The Green Party’s annual conference in Brighton this weekend will see a contentious motion to define Zionism as racism, drawing sharp criticism from former leader Caroline Lucas. Lucas, who held leadership roles from 2008 to 2014 and again from 2016 to 2018, described the proposal as “divisive” and announced she would not support it, reports BritPanorama.
The motion, introduced by party members, will be debated and voted on during the conference. If approved, it would establish the stance that Zionism—a movement advocating for the establishment of a Jewish state in the historical land of Israel—constitutes racism, thereby shaping official Green Party policy.
Lucas expressed significant concerns about the motion, stating, “There is no single definition of Zionism, and irrespective of the intentions of the people who put that motion forward, I think there is a real risk that it’ll be divisive and could be seen as a sign that Jewish people aren’t welcome in the party.” Her comments were made during an interview with BBC Radio 4, emphasizing her refusal to support the motion.
Furthermore, Lucas clarified that the party’s leadership did not initiate this motion. “I think I’ve made very clear that I don’t think it’s helpful, and I, and many others will be speaking I’m sure in that debate,” she added.
The wording of the motion reportedly indicates that “Zionism… will be treated as any other form of racism, and this motion will be implemented by the anti-racism policy working group as appropriate and in accordance with its ordinary practice.”
Former Green co-leader Adrian Ramsay echoed Lucas’s sentiments, stating he would vote against the motion, labeling it “not helpful.” The MP for Waveney Valley remarked that the Green Party possesses a strong position on advocating for equal rights and that adopting such a policy could undermine support for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Ramsay noted, “The Green Party has a strong position already on challenging the government, and I think it would just be wrong to adopt a policy that could be seen as not supporting the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to statehood.” His position mirrors the party’s 2024 manifesto, emphasizing equal rights for both groups.
Current leader Zack Polanski has not yet made a decision regarding his vote. In an interview with Zeteo UK, he highlighted the complexities of labeling Zionism, stating there is “something impractical” about a political party attempting to define it. He also proposed two amendments aimed at safeguarding Jewish members affiliated with ‘Zionist’ synagogues.
Polanski stated, “If someone stands against the occupation, stands against the apartheid, and stands against the genocide, that happens to be a member of a synagogue that calls itself a Zionist synagogue – they should not be treated any different within the Green Party.”
He added that he remains undecided, but emphasized that without the proposed amendments, the motion could create distractions and unnecessary conflicts within the party.
The debate on this motion reflects deeper divisions both within the Green Party and in wider discussions about Zionism, identity, and inclusion, raising questions about how political movements can navigate sensitive historical contexts.
