British Green Party Votes on Controversial Motion Defining Zionism as Racism

The British Green Party is holding a vote on a motion defining Zionism as a form of racism, according to which the party would support the dissolution of the State of Israel and the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian state across historical Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital. The vote, which has sparked internal turmoil, comes amid a sharp radicalization of party lines led by Chairman Zack Polanski during the national party conference.

According to the text, Zionism is defined as a political ideology that called for the establishment, and now the continued existence, of an ethno-national Jewish state in historical Palestine, involving the exclusion and subjugation of the non-Jewish population. Former party leaders have expressed opposition, with Caroline Lucas warning of a real risk that the motion would be seen as a sign that Jews are unwelcome in the party, and Adrian Ramsay calling it unnecessary and unhelpful. Amid the controversy, the party reportedly allocated a safe room for Jewish members at the conference.

Polanski, who recently declared himself anti-Zionist during an election event organized by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, has faced scrutiny over his background and past statements. Critics from rival parties have accused the Greens of engaging in sectarian campaigning and manipulating Muslim voters, while Polanski defended his positions and called for Palestine Action to be removed from the list of terrorist organizations.