The short version
- Green Party leader Zack Polanski has pledged that no individual will be excluded from the party due to their religious or communal affiliations, following the adoption of a controversial motion declaring Zionism a form of racism.
- The motion, which passed by 1,022 votes to 813 at the Brighton conference, defines Zionism as support for an ethnonationalist Jewish state and advocates for a single democratic Palestinian state across historic Palestine.
- Labour MPs have referred the Green Party to both the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Sussex Police, raising concerns about potential antisemitic offenses and discrimination against Jewish members.
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party for England and Wales, has issued a firm commitment that no member will be made unwelcome because of their background, faith, or place of worship. This statement follows intense internal and external criticism after party members voted to adopt a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism. Polanski emphasized his responsibility to ensure everyone feels safe within the organization, asserting that he will not accept any exclusion or refusal to engage with individuals based on the religious or communal bodies they belong to.
The contentious vote took place at the party’s conference in Brighton, where 1,022 delegates supported the motion against 813 who opposed it. The text of the motion characterizes Zionism as an ideology supporting an ethnonationalist Jewish state and calls for a single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine. It further argues that the material manifestation of Zionism has resulted in the dehumanization, displacement, and disenfranchisement of Palestinians. Polanski did not participate in the vote himself, highlighting a growing divide between the party’s leadership and its elected representatives.
Tensions within the Green Party have become increasingly visible as the newly enlarged membership base clashes with the perspectives of its Members of Parliament. Four of the party’s five MPs opposed the motion, signaling significant disagreement among elected officials regarding this policy direction. Ellie Chowns, a Green MP, expressed deep sadness that the motion became official policy but maintained that it was not antisemitic. She argued that the stance was rooted in principled opposition to the actions of the Israeli government and suggested that the party’s policymaking processes require review, noting that less than one percent of the more than 200,000 members participated in the vote.
The aftermath of the conference has triggered formal complaints from political rivals. More than a dozen Labour MPs reported the Greens to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, raising serious questions about whether Jewish members can participate freely and equally in the party. Organized by former Home Office minister Mike Tapp, the complaint highlights concerns that amendments intended to protect Jewish members attending Zionist synagogues were voted down. The letter warns that religious and communal connections could expose members to complaints or disciplinary action.
In addition to the regulatory referral, nine Labour MPs have asked Sussex Police to investigate whether alleged possible antisemitic offenses at the conference merit a criminal inquiry. Both Sussex Police and the Green Party have been contacted for comment regarding these developments. The Equality and Human Rights Commission stated it would consider each complaint carefully but has not yet launched an investigation. The regulator reminded political parties of their responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010, emphasizing the need to comply with the law and take steps to avoid discrimination.
International reactions have also been swift and severe. Israel’s foreign ministry responded to the motion by banning Polanski from entering the country. Some Jewish groups have described the vote as an attack on the Jewish community. The European Green Party, of which the UK Greens are a member, released a statement unequivocally distancing itself from the motion. The umbrella body said it would immediately demand clarity from the leadership on how they intend to protect Jewish people and self-determination.
Polanski, who is Jewish, sought to draw a clear line between antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli state in his lengthy statement. He affirmed that these two concepts are and must always be completely distinct. He reiterated that the party stands for deeply held values of compassion, fairness, and equality for all. Despite these assurances, the incident has exposed deep fractures within the party structure, particularly between the activist base that drove the motion and the parliamentary wing that largely opposed it.
The situation remains fluid as regulatory bodies consider their next steps and internal debates continue. The Green Party faces the challenge of reconciling its newly adopted policy with legal obligations to prevent discrimination and maintain an inclusive environment for all members. As investigations are considered and international partners distance themselves, the party’s leadership must navigate a complex landscape of political backlash, legal scrutiny, and internal division.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗I won't accept exclusion, says Polanski after criticism of Zionism motion
