Green Party faces internal strife over controversial Zionism motion
Green Party members have reportedly called for Caroline Lucas to be ousted in WhatsApp messages accusing her of being a “shill for apartheid and genocide,” following her criticisms of a motion passed at the party’s conference recognizing Zionism as racism, reports BritPanorama.
Lucas, who served as the party’s leader from 2008 to 2014, expressed concerns about the motion last week. Members of the faction Greens for Palestine condemned her for raising these issues to the media, describing her as “revolting” and urging formal complaints against her.
The friction within the party escalated when Lucas suggested that there was “entryism” — activists joining solely to support the motion rather than the party’s broader platform. She called for an investigation into Lubna Speitan, the motion’s author, after links to an al Qaeda terrorist were revealed.
In discussions on social media, one activist stated, “Lucas needs to be removed. She’s toxic, divisive, and a shill for apartheid and genocide.” Another accused her of giving media “ammo” through her criticism.
A spokesperson for Greens for Palestine defended the motion, stating, “Last week, the Green Party of England & Wales voted to recognize Zionism as a racist, settler colonial ideology.” They argued that attempts to discredit the party were futile, despite media blowback.
The motion received support from roughly half of the 1,800 members who voted at the Brighton conference. Lucas labeled the resolution as “dangerous” and “divisive,” voicing her serious concerns about its implications.
In response to the controversy, party leader Zack Polanski distanced himself from the vote, clarifying that he would have preferred a modified version of the motion. However, his position has drawn calls for resignation, particularly from Vivien Lichtenstein, chair of the Jewish Greens, who criticized his absence from the debate as a “dereliction of duty.”
Poll results released by YouGov indicated that among Green voters, 47 percent believe Polanski should remain leader, though broader public opinion shows mixed feelings — only 20 percent support his continuation as leader, while 34 percent advocate for his resignation.
The developments reflect ongoing tensions within the party over contentious issues, underscoring the challenges in balancing advocacy positions with internal unity. As discussions continue, the ramifications of these debates may significantly influence the Green Party’s trajectory moving forward.
