Green Party votes to adopt motion labeling Zionism as racism
The Green Party has voted to adopt a motion that classifies Zionism as a “racist ideology,” with 1,022 party members supporting the proposal compared to 813 on Sunday afternoon, reports BritPanorama.
This decision follows remarks made by Green Manchester councillor Asma Alam, who suggested that campaigners should dress modestly and speak Arabic to attract Muslim votes, a view that has been criticized as bigotry.
The motion asserts that Zionism, which advocates for a single independent Jewish state, is inherently racist according to the party’s new stance. The vote took place against a backdrop of significant protests, with pro-Israel supporters facing off against counter-demonstrators advocating for Palestinian rights outside the Green Party’s Autumn Conference.
Green leader Zack Polanski reportedly avoided participating in the vote due to his commitments campaigning in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. The motion not only calls for the abolition of Israel but also proposes the establishment of a “single democratic Palestinian state in all historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.”
This motion further advocates for a comprehensive arms embargo against Israel and increased economic sanctions. Additionally, it encourages lifting the proscription of the group Palestine Action, which has faced backlash for its militant activism.
Responses from within the party have been mixed. Green MPs and notable politicians expressed concerns that the motion could alienate Jewish voters. Deputy leader Rachel Millward labelled it “problematic,” while the party’s first MP, Caroline Lucas, described it as “divisive.”
A spokesperson for the Green Party emphasized their anti-racist stance, affirming their opposition to the illegal occupation of Palestinian and Syrian territories, and their call for an end to arms sales to the Israeli government. They reaffirmed their commitment to equality, justice, and human rights for all.
In contrast, Israel’s foreign ministry condemned the resolution, asserting that it legitimizes violence, undermines the aspiration of the Jewish people for self-determination, and demands rejection from all British political parties, particularly the Labour Party.
The ramifications of this vote will likely reverberate through the party’s voter base, given the sensitive nature of the topics discussed and the contrasting narratives surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This development takes place amid a context where political dialogue around Israel and Palestine continues to deepen, raising critical questions about party identity and electoral strategy in the UK.
