UK Prime Minister Condemns Green Party's 'Racism' Label for Zionism
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged Green Party leader Zac Polanski to retract his party's resolution labeling Zionism as racism. The Green Party conference also shifted its policy from a two-state solution to a single democratic state in historic Palestine. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem, though British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband later stated the building would remain open as a representative office.
The story in 7 lines · by baba
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham called on Green Party leader Zac Polanski to reverse his party's 'racism' definition of Zionism.
- The Green Party conference approved a resolution defining Zionism as a form of racism.
- The party also abandoned its support for a two-state solution in favor of a single democratic Palestinian state.
- Polanski, a Jewish opponent of Israeli policy, did not fully support the resolution and questioned the party's role in deciding future settlements.
- A proposed amendment to protect Jewish members active in Zionist organizations was rejected by delegates.
- Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem.
- British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband later stated the building would remain open as the 'British Representative Office, Jerusalem'.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called on Green Party leader Zac Polanski to reverse his party's decision to define Zionism as a form of racism. Burnham, who himself holds views not favorable to Israel, sharply criticized the resolution passed at the party's conference in Brighton, calling it "completely wrong" and indicative of "the worst possible judgment." The decision, approved on Sunday, also marks a significant shift in the Green Party's policy on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Abandoning its long-standing support for a two-state solution, the party now backs a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine." Polanski, who is Jewish and a strong opponent of Israeli policy, did not endorse the proposal and specifically distanced himself from abandoning the two-state solution. He stated, "I do not think we as a Green Party should be deciding what the future settlement looks like," emphasizing that the party should focus on ensuring equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians. The debate also raised controversy regarding the implications for Jewish party members. In a separate vote, delegates rejected an amendment intended to protect Jewish members active in organizations identifying as Zionist, including synagogues and prayer groups, by a vote of 1,026 to 684. Separately, amidst recent British conduct towards Israel, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced the closure of the British Consulate in East Jerusalem. He stated that the Consul General and 19 other diplomats would end their terms and leave Israel. The building owned by the British government would continue to house a reduced staff of seven diplomats, operating on a minimal scale and no longer serving as a consulate. Both countries agreed to maintain a dialogue for discussing important issues. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband later stated that following discussions with the Israeli government, the British Consulate General building would not be closed and would now house the "British Representative Office, Jerusalem." He added that this mission would be independent, active, continue providing services, and work with Palestinians.
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