UK Mayor Rules Out Labour-Green Coalition Over 'Zionism is Racism' Vote
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester, has ruled out any political cooperation between the Labour Party and the Green Party due to the Greens' controversial resolution defining "Zionism as racism." Burnham called the decision "wrong" and "antisemitic," stating Labour would not engage with such a party. The Green Party defended its resolution, while acknowledging internal debate, and criticized Burnham for equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Andy Burnham ruled out Labour cooperation with the Green Party over its "Zionism is racism" resolution.
- Burnham called the Green Party's decision "wrong" and "antisemitic."
- The Green Party's resolution defined Zionism as an ethno-nationalist ideology in historic Palestine.
- The British Jewish community views Zionism as the Jewish people's right to a homeland.
- A Green Party spokesperson called Burnham's equation of Israel criticism with antisemitism "disappointing and wrong."
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester, has declared that the Labour Party will not cooperate with the Green Party in the UK following a controversial resolution passed by the Greens labeling "Zionism as racism." Burnham's statement came in response to a question from Conservative MP Harriet Baldwin, who asked if he would rule out a political agreement between the parties. Burnham unequivocally condemned the Green Party's decision, stating, "It is wrong. It is antisemitic. We will have nothing to do with it." He emphasized that the Labour Party would not partner with any party adopting such a stance. However, his remarks suggest that future cooperation is not entirely impossible if the Green Party rescinds its resolution.
The Green Party's resolution defined Zionism as a "political ideology that called for the establishment and, now that it exists, the continuation of an ethno-nationalist Jewish state in historic Palestine, while excluding and/or controlling a non-Jewish population." Conversely, many, including the British Jewish community, view Zionism as the Jewish people's right to a homeland.
A spokesperson for the Green Party responded to Burnham's comments, acknowledging that the resolution had sparked widespread public debate and that differing opinions exist regarding its components. The spokesperson added, "However, the fact that Andy Burnham equates criticism of Israel with antisemitism is disappointing and wrong."
