STORY
The Green Party of England and Wales is facing significant internal division after members approved a conference motion declaring that Zionism should be treated as a form of racism. The motion was supported by 1,022 members and opposed by 813 at the party’s conference in Brighton. It defines Zionism as an ethnonationalist political project, formally establishes the party’s opposition to it and supports the creation of a single democratic state across historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital.
Four of the party’s five MPs opposed the motion, while former leader Caroline Lucas also warned against its adoption. Green Party leader Zack Polanski was absent from the vote while campaigning in the Holborn and St Pancras by election. Members also rejected an amendment stating that the policy should not be used to pressure, proscribe or discipline members because of their links to synagogues or other Jewish organisations which identify as Zionist. Critics within the party said the decision risked alienating Jewish members and undermining its work on peace and human rights.
The Green Party said the matter had prompted a serious and deeply felt debate among its membership, adding that it remained committed to opposing racism and supporting the rights of both Palestinians and Jewish people. A joint statement from the party’s MPs, leader and deputy leaders said there was no conflict between supporting the two communities. Jewish organisations have strongly criticised the decision, arguing that the policy could make Jewish members feel unwelcome and expose those connected with mainstream communal institutions to disciplinary complaints.