Green Party defines Zionism as racist at Brighton conference
Green Party members have passed a motion to define Zionism as racist at the party’s conference in Brighton, reports BritPanorama.
The motion was adopted by 1,022 votes to 813 on Sunday, emblematic of the party’s growing anti-Zionist stance. It defines Zionism as “an ethnonationalist political project,” while asserting that anti-Zionism should not be equated with antisemitism.
Leading up to the vote, the debate sparked considerable controversy, with some members expressing concerns that the wording could alienate Jewish colleagues within the party.
A Green Party spokesperson stated, “This has been a serious and deeply felt debate within our membership. Our members value the ability to bring forward and decide party policy, and conference has now made its decision.”
They further highlighted the party’s long-standing anti-racist position, emphasising its opposition to the illegal occupation of both Palestinian and Syrian land while advocating for an end to arms sales to the Israeli government.
As part of the motion, the party reaffirmed its commitment to Palestinian liberation, the right of return, Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), and a complete arms embargo against Israel.
Furthermore, it expressed support for the Palestinian right to self-determination, calling for a single democratic state across historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.
Party leader Zack Polanski, who is campaigning for the Holborn & St Pancras by-election, reportedly abstained from voting.
Members voted against an amendment to clarify that the motion should not be used to “pressure, proscribe or discipline” those affiliated with synagogues or Jewish groups that identify as Zionist.
Four of the party’s five MPs—Ellie Chowns, Sian Berry, and ex-leaders Adrian Ramsay and Carla Denyer—publicly rejected the motion.
Denyer expressed concerns that the motion could detract from the party’s mission to assist Palestinians, advocating that focusing on definitions might dilute efforts towards actionable support.
“If this motion passes as written, I am concerned that elected Greens will be forced to spend our time and energy debating and defending definitions, at the expense of focussing on the essential actions that only we can take to make things materially better for people in Palestine,” she noted.
Chowns shared her worries on social media, indicating that the motion risks internal division and undermines the party’s capability to advocate for justice and peace effectively.
The party outlined that while this position will become formal policy, it does not require all politicians to endorse it.
Jewish leaders reacted strongly, stating that the leadership’s inaction on the motion illustrated a “staggering indifference to the welfare of British Jews.”
In a letter to Green Party leaders prior to the conference, representatives from the Board of Deputies, Community Security Trust, and Jewish Leadership Council expressed their apprehensions about the motion, which they believe could jeopardise the safety of British Jews.
Polanski stated earlier this week that the “displacement and genocide of the Palestinian people” constitutes “clearly racism,” advocating for an amendment to establish one Palestinian state in the motion. His stance aims for equal rights for both Israelis and Palestinians.
