Green Party members back 'Zionism is racism' motion

Green Party members adopted a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism, a decision that has exposed divisions among the party’s senior leadership. The party’s two deputy leaders have taken opposing stances, with Mothin Ali supporting the move and Rachel Millward describing the wording as “problematic.” Activists backed the resolution, which was introduced by a group of members at the party’s conference in Brighton, by a margin of 1022 votes to 813. In the same vote, members committed to supporting a “single anti‑authoritarian Palestinian State” after rejecting an amendment favoured by Zack Polanski. The adopted motion defines Zionism as an ideology that advocates “an ethnonationalist Jewish state” and endorses “a single anti‑authoritarian Palestinian authority in all of historical Palestine.” It states: “The real, material, manifestation of Zionism has been the historical and ongoing dehumanisation, displacement, dispossession, disenfranchisement and demolition of Palestinians.” The text has drawn criticism from Jewish organisations, including the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council. In a letter to the party preceding the vote, those groups argued that Zionism is an anti‑racist movement, noting that “modern Zionism was formed in part as a response to antisemitism, creating a refuge for Jews in their historic homeland after millennia of persecution outside it.” The letter also expressed concern for the safety of Jewish members within the Green Party and the potential impact on Jewish institutions in areas represented by the party. During the three‑day conference, debate over the motion—and the broader conflict in Gaza—was prominent, especially after Polanski’s election as deputy leader the previous year. On Friday, Polanski said he believed Zionism, as defined in the motion, constitutes racism. However, he urged that the reference to a single Palestinian state be revised, arguing: “I don’t believe we as a Green Party of England and Wales, or even the British government, should be deciding what the future state looks like.” He also sought an amendment clarifying that the motion should not be used to target Jewish members who attend synagogues that identify as Zionist. Those amendments were ultimately rejected by the membership. A Green Party spokesperson insisted the organisation would continue to support Jewish members and would not penalise those who attend Zionist‑identified synagogues. Polanski did not cast a vote in the debate, having left the conference early to campaign in Holborn and St Pancras, where he is seeking election as MP. A complete list of candidates is available can be recovered here. Throughout the conference, several prominent figures voiced differing opinions. Three of the party’s five MPs—Ellie Chowns, Adrian Ramsay and Carla Denyer—opposed the motion, with Denyer warning that it could “risk alienating a significant proportion of Jewish people.” Former deputy leader Caroline Lucas told the BBC: “I think there is no single definition of Zionism and, irrespective of the intentions of those who backed that motion, I think there is simply a real risk that it will be divisive and could be seen as a signal that Jewish people aren’t welcome in the party.” Mothin Ali, who had expressed support for the motion prior to the vote, said it calls for “a state that’s democratic, that guarantees the rights of every single person living on that land.” He added that he was “absolutely not” labelling all Jewish people who identify as Zionists as racist. Under Green Party procedures, motions endorsed by members become official party policy, although they are not automatically incorporated into the party’s manifesto for the next general election.