UK Green Party Adopts Resolution Declaring Zionism a Form of Racism

The UK's Green Party has passed a resolution at its conference in Brighton on Sunday, October 4, declaring Zionism a form of racism and effectively calling for the elimination of the State of Israel. The resolution, which passed with 56% of the vote, states that Zionism implies support for an "ethno-national Jewish state" and calls for the establishment of a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital." It also demands a large-scale boycott and sanctions against Israel, drawing parallels to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. The party's leadership, including leader Zak Polanski, who is Jewish and identifies as an "anti-Zionist," expressed reservations about certain aspects of the resolution, with Polanski abstaining from the vote. He stated that while he believes people have a right to exist, he questioned the party's role in defining the future of state settlements.

Deputy leader Matinul Alam publicly supported the resolution, telling the BBC that he fully endorsed it because it addresses "ethnic cleansing and ethno-nationalism," which he considers a racist ideology. However, former leaders Caroline Lucas, Adrian Ramsay, and Carla Denyer publicly opposed the resolution, with Lucas expressing concern that it could alienate Jewish members and Denyer warning it might set back efforts to aid Palestinians. Despite internal divisions, Polanski asserted that the party is "completely united" on the issue of Palestine, emphasizing the need to stop perceived "genocide" and arms sales to Israel.

The conference also featured discussions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including events related to Gaza flotillas and accusations of Israeli "sportswashing." Amidst heightened tensions, organizers reportedly provided a "safe room" for Jewish members who felt threatened. This comes after previous scandals involving Green Party candidates making antisemitic statements or praising Hamas.

Israel's Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the resolution, calling the Green Party an organization that "supports terrorism" and has adopted Hamas's ideology. The ministry urged all UK parties, particularly the ruling Labour Party, to distance themselves from the resolution, which it described as a "distorted text" that legitimizes armed struggle and effectively calls for Israel's destruction.