Understand
Burnham calls on Polanski to reverse Green Party's Zionism motion
Overview
Andy Burnham has urged Green Party leader Zack Polanski to reverse a motion passed at the party's conference declaring Zionism a form of racism. The motion, which defined Zionism as an ethnonationalist ideology and backed a single democratic Palestinian state, has caused internal division, led to resignations, and complicated Polanski's campaign in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
Key points
- Andy Burnham described the Green Party's motion as completely wrong and exhibiting terrible judgement.
- The motion defined Zionism as supporting an ethnonationalist Jewish state and backed a single Palestinian state.
- Green leader Zack Polanski did not vote on the motion, having left the conference early for his by-election campaign.
- Four of the five Green MPs opposed the motion, and the Welsh Green deputy leader resigned over the controversy.
- Polling closed in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, where Polanski is a candidate for the Green Party.