The Green Party of England and Wales approved a motion defining Zionism as racism by 1,022 votes to 813 at its Brighton conference. Four of its five MPs opposed the motion, and proposed protections for Jewish members were rejected. Israel announced an entry ban for leader Zack Polanski as the decision drew criticism across British politics.
The British Green Party adopted a motion defining Zionism as racism at its annual conference in Brighton, on England’s south coast. The vote was 1,022 in favour and 813 against. The motion describes Zionism as an ethnonationalist ideology and supports a single Palestinian state across historic Palestine. Its adoption makes it party policy; an election-manifesto commitment has not been announced.[1], [2]
Four of the party’s five MPs opposed the motion, including Ellie Chowns, Adrian Ramsay, Carla Denyer and Siân Berry. Co-deputy leader Mothin Ali supported it, while Rachel Millward, who shares that role, considered its wording problematic. Leader Zack Polanski did not vote because he was campaigning in the Holborn by-election rather than attending the conference.[1]
Party leader Polanski proposed protections for Jewish members attending synagogue and a change intended to leave the final state arrangement to Israelis and Palestinians. Both amendments were rejected. A party spokeswoman said its commitment to protecting Jewish members had not changed.[1]
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced that Polanski would be barred from entering Israel. The Conservatives criticised the motion, while Labour chair Bridget Phillipson called on Polanski to clarify that this would not be the party’s position. Liberal Democrat MP Luke Taylor said it heightened tensions. British Jewish organisations also opposed the conference decision.[1]
