Green Party members have officially adopted a motion declaring Zionism to be a form of racism, a decision that has surfaced deep divisions among the party’s senior figures. The policy was endorsed by activists during the party’s conference in Brighton, passing with 1022 votes in favor to 813 against.
The adopted motion defines Zionism as an ideology that supports an "ethnonationalist Jewish state." It further calls for the establishment of a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine," asserting that the manifestation of Zionism has resulted in the "ongoing dehumanisation, displacement, dispossession, disenfranchisement and destruction of Palestinians." In a separate vote, members committed the party to supporting this single-state vision, having rejected an amendment that had been backed by party leader Zack Polanski.
The move has caused friction at the highest levels of the party. Joint deputy leaders Mothin Ali and Rachel Millward hold opposing views, with Ali supporting the motion while Millward has described the specific wording as "problematic."
The decision has also drawn immediate criticism from prominent Jewish organizations, including the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council. In a letter addressed to the party prior to the vote, these groups argued that Zionism is an anti-racist movement. They stated that "modern Zionism was formed in part as a response to antisemitism, creating a refuge for Jews in their ancient homeland after millennia of persecution outside it." Furthermore, the organizations expressed concerns regarding the safety of Jewish members within the Green Party and raised questions about the potential implications for Jewish institutions located in areas represented by the party.
