UK Green Party Adopts Motion Equating Zionism With Racism

The UK Green Party has officially declared itself anti-Zionist, with members voting to adopt a motion stating "Zionism is racism" at their conference in Brighton on Sunday. The vote passed with 1,022 in favor and 813 against, according to GB News. The motion, which was adopted without substantial changes, defines Zionism as an "ethno-nationalist political project" and clarifies that opposing Zionism should not be equated with antisemitism. It also reaffirms the party's support for Palestinian liberation, the right of return for Palestinians, the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and a total arms embargo on Israel.

The Green Party is now the first major European party to openly identify as anti-Zionist. Supporters view the motion as an anti-racist stance, with one individual quoted by Novara Media calling it "the right position." The resolution also advocates for a single democratic Palestinian state, calls for the release of Palestinian political prisoners, and opposes bans on Palestine Action.

This motion was previously introduced at the party's spring conference but could not be voted on due to time constraints, sparking controversy. This year's conference saw verbal clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators outside the venue.

The Green Party's Jewish affiliate group, which represents the Jewish community within the party, remains divided and has not taken an official stance. Several Jewish members reportedly expressed concerns about remaining in the party if the motion passed. Former leader Caroline Lucas had described the text as divisive and worried about its impact on the party's inclusivity. Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, proposed amendments to better protect Jewish members, particularly those who attend "Zionist" synagogues, stating that the answer to whether Zionism is racism depends on the definition of the term.

Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the vote, stating the Green Party had "ceased to be a political party and transformed into an organization supporting terrorism." The ministry asserted that the motion calls for a Palestinian state "from the river to the sea," which would effectively destroy Israel, and urged all British parties, starting with the Labour Party, to disavow the text immediately and unequivocally.