UK Green Party Declares Zionism 'Racist,' Calls for Single State in Historic Palestine

Members of the UK's Green Party voted on Sunday to pass a motion declaring Zionism a racist ideology and calling for a single democratic state across all of historic Palestine, with equal rights for all citizens, including Jewish people. The motion, titled "Zionism is Racism," was brought forward by a group called "Greens 4 Palestine" at the party's annual conference in Brighton. It passed with 56% of the vote. The party is now the first in the British Parliament to not recognize Israel's existence.

The motion defines Zionism as a racist and colonialist political ideology that perpetuates racial discrimination and domination against Palestinians. It also calls for the establishment of one democratic state in all of historic Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital and full equal rights for all inhabitants. The resolution recognizes the right of Palestinians to self-determination and resistance against Israeli occupation and oppression by all available means, and urges the UK government to impose a full arms embargo and comprehensive sanctions on Israel, alongside supporting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

The party's leader, Zac , did not vote on the motion but supported amendments to soften its language and include protections for Jewish members who identify as Zionists; these amendments were rejected. A Guardian journalist covering the conference noted that this could be a significant problem for the party, as four out of its five Members of Parliament spoke out strongly against the motion, while 'somewhat' supported it. Some Jewish members expressed concern over the decision.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the vote, stating that the Green Party had ceased to function as a political party and had become a supporter of terrorism, officially adopting Hamas's ideology. The Ministry called on all British parties, especially the ruling Labour party, to immediately and unequivocally disavow the "distorted text."

Following the vote, a party spokesperson stated that the discussion among members was serious and deep, and that the conference had made its decision. Reports from the conference in Brighton indicated that protests took place outside the venue, with police separating pro-Israel and pro-Palestine supporters. One party member told a newspaper that a "safe room" was allocated for Jewish members who felt threatened within the building, describing the situation as disturbing and infuriating.