UK Green Party Adopts Resolution Labeling Zionism as Racism

The Green Party of England and Wales officially adopted a resolution at its annual conference in Brighton on Sunday, defining Zionism as racism. The proposal passed with 56% of the vote, with 1,022 members in favor and 813 against. The approved text states that Zionism is a "political ideology that calls for the establishment of a Jewish state based on ethnic nationalism, while excluding and/or controlling the non-Jewish population." The resolution also calls for the establishment of "one democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital," where "equal rights for all" would be granted, including for Jews. This decision has sparked controversy within the party, with some leaders urging against its approval. Party leader Zak Polanski did not participate in the vote. When asked about Israel's right to exist, he responded, "I believe that human beings have a right to exist. Israelis have a right to exist, and Palestinians have a right to exist. I believe our role as political parties is to protect human rights, not the rights of states." The resolution has also drawn criticism due to concerns about its impact on Jewish members of the party, with opponents warning it could create a sense that Jews are unwelcome. The approved proposal does not recognize Israel within a two-state solution framework, instead advocating for a single Palestinian state. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the move, stating, "The Green Party of Britain has ceased to function as a political party and has become a supporter of terrorism. The Greens have officially adopted Hamas's green color and its ideological doctrine that calls for the elimination of the State of Israel through armed struggle." The ministry added that the "shocking decision... which legitimizes armed struggle, calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state from the river to the sea, effectively the destruction of the State of Israel, and equates Zionism with racism, is no longer political text." The ministry also urged British parties, particularly the Labour Party, to "immediately and unequivocally disavow this distorted text." Despite the majority in favor, the number of participants in the vote was small relative to the party's size, with 1,835 members voting out of over 200,000 Green Party members.