Understand
Green Party members vote to adopt 'Zionism is racism' motion at conference
Overview
Members of the Green Party meeting at their conference in Brighton have adopted a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism by 1,022 votes to 813. The policy defines Zionism as an ethnonationalist ideology and commits the party to supporting a single democratic Palestinian state, while dividing senior figures and drawing criticism from Jewish groups.
Key points
- Green Party members voted 1,022 to 813 to adopt a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism.
- The motion defines Zionism as an ideology supporting an ethnonationalist Jewish state and backs a single democratic Palestinian state across historic Palestine.
- Activists rejected amendments supported by leader Zack Polanski, including one concerning the future political settlement.
- The decision has divided senior party figures, with three MPs and former leader Caroline Lucas warning it risks alienating Jewish people.
- Jewish groups, including the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council, criticised the motion and raised concerns about the safety of Jewish members.