UK Green Party Approves Resolution Declaring Zionism Racism

The UK Green Party, a radical left-wing party that has gained significant public support in recent years and is known for its extreme anti-Israel stances, approved a controversial resolution on Sunday. The resolution states that Zionism is a form of racism and implies a call for the destruction of the State of Israel. This proposal is considered too extreme even for some of Israel's staunchest opponents within the party, including its leader, Zac Polonsky, who identifies as "anti-Zionist." While Polonsky opposed some clauses, he ultimately abstained from the vote. The resolution, passed at the party's conference in Brighton, officially declares Zionism a form of racism because it supports an "ethno-nationalist Jewish state." According to British media, this makes the Greens, now one of the UK's largest parties, the only mainstream European party openly identifying as anti-Zionist. Recent polls indicate the Greens are the fourth or fifth largest party in the UK. The approved proposal calls for the establishment of a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital." It also demands extensive boycotts and sanctions against Israel, drawing parallels to those imposed on apartheid South Africa, alleging that "Zionism has created, and seeks to maintain, and where possible expand, an apartheid regime between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea."

Deputy Leader Mootin Ali, who has become a prominent anti-Israel figure in Britain, fully supported the resolution, telling the BBC it addresses "ethnic cleansing and ethno-nationalism," which he believes is a racist ideology. In a Sky News interview, he stated, "The ultimate form of racism is genocide, so anyone who believes in committing genocide against people so they can live freely is racist." Polonsky himself abstained from the vote but, in a BBC interview, avoided explicitly recognizing Israel's right to exist. When questioned if the proposal's call for a single Palestinian state implied Israel's destruction, he suggested amending the proposal to ensure "equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians," stating that political parties should protect human rights, not state rights. The Daily Mail reported that three former Green Party leaders, Caroline Lucas, Adrian Ramsay, and Carla Denyer, publicly opposed the resolution. Lucas expressed concern that it could cause division and alienate Jewish members, while Denyer warned it could hinder support for Palestinians and alienate many in the Jewish community, including those who oppose the Israeli government and support BDS.

Despite internal divisions, Polonsky claimed the Greens are "completely united" on the Palestine issue, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the need to "stop the genocide" and halt arms sales to Israel. The Green Party conference featured numerous events related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Outside the venue, pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrations took place. Amidst the tensions, conference organizers allocated a "safe room" for Jewish members, a measure described by one member as "deeply disturbing and regrettable" and by a senior Jewish party member as unprecedented. The article also references past controversies, including candidates expressing antisemitic views or praising Hamas, leading to arrests for alleged incitement of racial hatred. Some critics argue the party courts Muslim votes by championing the Palestinian cause, a tactic also attributed to the Labour party. Sharar Ali, a former deputy leader, accused Islamist elements of infiltrating the party and changing its policies, calling it a "danger to society." He stated that the resolution makes the Green Party "openly antisemitic."

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by stating the Green Party has become a "terror-supporting body," officially adopting Hamas's ideology and calling for Israel's elimination. They condemned the resolution as crossing the boundaries of political discourse and urged all British parties, especially Labour, to disavow it.