Understand
Green Party leader Zack Polanski states he will not accept exclusion after party adopts 'Zionism is racism' motion
Overview
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has responded to widespread backlash after party members voted to adopt a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism. Polanski stated he will not accept anyone being excluded from the party because of their religious or communal body, emphasizing that antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli state must remain distinct. The motion has triggered referrals to the equality watchdog and police by Labour MPs, a travel ban on Polanski by Israel's foreign ministry, and distancing from the European Green Party.
Key points
- Green Party members voted 1,022 to 813 to adopt a motion defining Zionism as an ethnonationalist ideology and a form of racism.
- Green Party leader Zack Polanski stated he will not accept exclusion or refusal to engage with anyone based on their religious or communal body.
- More than a dozen Labour MPs referred the Green Party to the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Sussex Police over potential antisemitic offences.
- Israel's foreign ministry banned Zack Polanski from entering the country following the motion's adoption.
- The European Green Party distanced itself from the motion and demanded clarity on the protection of Jewish members.