Green Party members back 'Zionism is racism' motion

Green Party members voted to adopt a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism, fracturing the party's leadership and drawing sharp criticism from Jewish organizations.

Members approved the motion 1022 to 813 at the party's conference in Brighton. The policy defines Zionism as an ideology supporting "an ethnonationalist Jewish state" and backs a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine." It characterizes Zionism's "real, material, manifestation" as "the historic and ongoing dehumanisation, displacement, dispossession, disenfranchisement and destruction of Palestinians."

The vote exposed divisions between party leader Zack Polanski, who did not vote after leaving early to campaign, and the party's five MPs. Four MPs publicly opposed the motion. Ellie Chowns and former leader Caroline Lucas spoke against it during debate, with Lucas warning members against "a refusal to accept complexities which is leading to so many Jewish members feeling scared and unwelcome in our party."

Joint deputy leaders Mothin Ali and Rachel Millward took opposite stances. Ali backed the move, saying it called for "a state that's democratic, that guarantees the rights of every single person living on that land." Millward described the wording as "problematic."

Polanski, who is Jewish, said "If your Zionism is the displacement of the Palestinian people then that is clearly racist," but opposed the motion's endorsement of a single Palestinian state and sought amendments that were rejected by members. He added his name to a joint statement from MPs and deputy leaders pledging the party would be "an anti-racist party in every way" and that "there is no conflict between supporting the rights of Palestinians and the rights of Jewish people."

The Board of Deputies and Jewish Leadership Council wrote to the party before the vote, calling Zionism "an anti-racist movement" formed partly in response to antisemitism. They raised concerns about Jewish members' safety in the party and implications for Jewish institutions.

Vivien Lichtenstein, chair of Jewish Greens, told the BBC she could consider her future in the party after the vote was approved.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said the motion went beyond "the boundaries of legitimate political debate" and was "a stain on the history of the United Kingdom."

Under party rules, motions supported by members become official policy but are not necessarily included in the manifesto for the next general election.