The short version
- Green Party members voted to declare Zionism a form of racism and support a single democratic state in historic Palestine.
- Jewish Greens chair Vivien Lichtenstein signaled she may leave the party, citing concerns over organizational targeting and lack of consultation.
- Israel barred leader Zack Polanski from entry, while legal experts warn the motion may violate UK equality legislation.
The Green Party of England and Wales has adopted a binding policy motion that defines Zionism as a form of racism and calls for the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian state across historic Palestine. The decision, made during the party’s annual conference in Brighton, marks a significant shift in official party stance and has immediately sparked internal division, external criticism, and potential legal repercussions.
Members voted 1,022 to 813 in favor of the motion, which was proposed by a group known as Greens for Palestine. The text explicitly supports a single state with Jerusalem as its capital, equal rights for all residents, and the right of return for Palestinians and their descendants. It characterizes Zionism as an ideology supporting an ethnonationalist Jewish state that should be treated like any other form of racism.
Vivien Lichtenstein, chair of the Jewish Greens, stated she might leave the party following the vote. She described the motion as unhelpful and noted it does not alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza or the West Bank. Lichtenstein emphasized that while opinions among Jewish members are varied, the failure to consult the Jewish Greens group before proposing the motion was a significant procedural flaw.
Lichtenstein expressed particular concern that the new policy could lead the party to label UK, Israeli, and joint Arab-Jewish organizations as racist if they are perceived as Zionist. She noted that many of these groups actively oppose occupation and assist Palestinians on the ground. Her hesitation stems not from fear of personal accusation but from worry about the broader chilling effect on allied organizations.
Party leader Zack Polanski did not attend the vote, having left early to campaign in Holborn and St Pancras for an upcoming parliamentary by-election. Polanski had previously sought amendments to protect Jewish members and remove references to a single state, but both were defeated. His absence has drawn criticism from some members who feel he failed to engage with a critical issue affecting party unity.
Polanski encouraged supporters to seek refunds on conference tickets to assist his campaign efforts after the executive committee refused to postpone the event. Some long-standing members have voiced anger at what they perceive as disinterest in such a pivotal moment, arguing that leadership cannot rely solely on informal guidance during times of significant policy change.
The motion has drawn sharp condemnation from Jewish leaders and organizations. The Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, described it as poisonous antisemitism and a threat to British Jews, comparing it to discredited Soviet-era slanders. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council also criticized the move, asserting that Zionism represents anti-racism by providing refuge for Jews after millennia of persecution.
In response to the vote, Israel’s foreign ministry barred Polanski from entering the country, labeling the motion as a clear antisemitic text. Meanwhile, legal experts suggest the policy may face challenges under UK equality laws. Adam Wagner KC, who previously led a successful case against the Labour Party over antisemitism, indicated there is a strong risk the Green Party’s new stance contravenes the Equality Act 2010 by discriminating against those with Zionist beliefs.
Supporters of the motion, including Green member Lubna Speitan, argue it reflects a unified stand against all forms of racist oppression without exemptions. A party spokeswoman insisted that Jewish members would be protected and not persecuted for attending synagogues that define themselves as Zionist. However, four of the party’s five MPs opposed the measure, highlighting deep fractures within the parliamentary group.
As the party navigates this new policy direction, uncertainty remains regarding its long-term impact on membership retention and legal standing. With some members consulting lawyers and others considering departure, the Green Party faces a period of intense scrutiny both internally and from external stakeholders concerned about the implications for Jewish communities and interfaith relations.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Jewish Greens chair says she could leave party over 'Zionism is racism' motion
- The Guardian World↗Head of Jewish Greens says she may leave party over ‘Zionism is racism’ vote
