Greens Pass ‘Zionism Is Racism’ Motion at Party Conference

Green party members have voted to back a motion stating that Zionism is racism, making the Greens the first explicitly anti-Zionist mainstream political party in the UK.

The motion, which was heard at the party’s largest ever conference in Brighton and passed by 1,022 votes to 813, also called on the party to back a single, democratic Palestinian state, to demand freedom for Palestinian political prisoners, oppose the Palestine Action ban and affirm Palestinians’ right to resistance. 

An amendment to mitigate the risk that the motion could be used to target Jewish members affiliated with Zionist institutions was voted down. Supporters claim it wasn’t necessary, as the motion already separates Judaism from Zionism, and it will have no disciplinary impact as it is a political policy motion rather than one to do with internal party procedures.

The vote followed a conference weekend in which the motion was a controversial issue, with tensions running high.

On Saturday, dozens of pro-Israel demonstraters shouted at party members as they entered the conference centre. Chants included “There is no Palestine, there is no Palestine”, with some protesters holding signs reading “Anti Zionism = terrorism” and handing out leaflets claiming “The Green party is now the most racist party in Britain”.

Senior Green figures were split. While co-deputy leader Mothin Ali spoke in favour of it on Sunday, former leader Caroline Lucas spoke against, with co-deputy leader Rachel Millward telling Sky News it was “problematic” earlier in the weekend. 

Green leader Zack Polanski did not vote, as he was campaigning in Holborn and St Pancras, central London, where he is standing in a byelection on Thursday in the hope of becoming the party’s sixth MP.

Green party policy already describes Israeli conduct as apartheid and genocide, backs a full arms embargo, sanctions and an end to occupation and illegal settlements, as well as a ban on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a terror group.

Motions voted for by members at conferences set the Green party’s long-term vision and policy platform. They do not determine election manifestos.