UK Green Party Conference Sees Tensions Over Anti-Zionist Resolution

Divisions have intensified within the UK's Green Party, led by Zak Polanski, concerning its stance on Israel. According to Jewish News, the party's annual conference in Brighton necessitated the provision of a "safe room" for Jewish members who expressed concerns about their security. A vote is scheduled on a draft resolution labeling Zionism as a racist ideology, introduced by the internal group "Green for Palestine." This group advocates for the party to officially adopt an anti-Zionist position. The discussion for the resolution, titled "Zionism is Racism," is set for Sunday, October 4. Pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered outside the conference center, with police intervening to prevent clashes between the two groups. One attendee described the "safe room" as a place for Jewish members to go in an emergency, noting that a rabbi held a meeting there with some members on the first day. "The fact that Jews needed a safe space at a party conference is deeply upsetting, but that's the reality," the attendee stated. A source within the Green Party confirmed that participants were given a contact number for assistance if they felt threatened and a room for refuge, accessed via a separate entrance to avoid protests. The door to this room was marked "Press Entrance Forbidden."

The draft resolution proposes that the Green Party officially declare Zionism a racist ideology and advocate for a single "Palestinian state." The "Green for Palestine" group has published a 48-page booklet supporting the resolution, characterizing Zionism as a form of settler colonialism and asserting that supporting the resolution does not equate to antisemitism. The proposal has caused internal party friction. Leader Zak Polanski has called for amendments to ensure the resolution does not become a pretext for discriminating against Jews, emphasizing that Jewish members who criticize Israel or attend Zionist synagogues should not have their party rights restricted. Former leaders Caroline Lucas and Adrian Ramsay have also criticized the resolution.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar reacted to the Jewish News report, stating, "I read, reread, and read again. Nothing more is needed to understand the direction Britain is heading in 2026." Meanwhile, a pro-Palestine student march is planned for October 7 in London, coinciding with a sensitive day for the UK's Jewish community, with police anticipating around 300 participants.