UK Greens Face Internal Revolt as Activists Move to Oust Former Leader Caroline Lucas

A bitter internal conflict is unfolding within the Green Party in the United Kingdom as pro-Palestinian activists attempt to oust former party leader Caroline Lucas. Lucas, the first Member of Parliament in the party's history and twice its leader, has become the target of an internal campaign after criticizing the party's decision to define Zionism as racism.

According to a report in The Telegraph, members of the 'Greens for Palestine' faction are coordinating disciplinary complaints against Lucas, hoping a large volume of complaints will lead to her suspension or expulsion. In WhatsApp chats obtained by the newspaper, activists labeled her 'toxic', 'divisive', and an 'accomplice to apartheid and genocide'.

The clash reflects a broader struggle between the moderate, traditional wing of the Greens and activists aligned with the radical left and pro-Palestinian movements. Moderate figures argue that newcomers are attempting to hijack the party's institutions and shift its policies from within.

The Controversial Motion: Defining Zionism as Racism

The storm erupted after the Green Party conference approved a motion defining Zionism as racism. The decision passed with 1,022 votes in favor and 813 against, making it official policy despite fewer than one percent of the party's total membership casting votes.

The policy effectively calls for the dismantling of Israel and brands the Jewish people's right to self-determination as a racist ideology. The motion was championed by 'Greens for Palestine', while Britain's Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, condemned the decision as 'toxic antisemitism'.

Lucas criticized the absence of Zack Polanski, the party leader who recently lost a parliamentary bid, for missing the vote, warning that the party is vulnerable to political takeover attempts from within. In a BBC interview, she described the anti-Zionism resolution as dangerous, divisive, and fundamentally flawed, warning that it has left many Jewish members feeling unsafe and unwelcome.

Alleged Terror Links Spark Outrage

One of the catalysts for the campaign against Lucas is a previous Telegraph investigation alleging that Lubna Speitan, a left-wing activist behind the anti-Zionism motion, maintained close ties with an al-Qaeda terrorist.

According to the report, the terrorist was involved in a plot to blow up a passenger plane traveling from Israel to London's Heathrow Airport. Lucas called for Speitan's suspension pending an investigation into the allegations, prompting fierce backlash from pro-Palestinian activists.

I am not the judge and jury. I don't know how much truth there is in what was said about Speitan, but I think this is a deeply concerning matter and action must be taken without pre-judging the outcome of an investigation, Lucas stated.

Rapid Growth and Deepening Crisis

The turmoil surrounding Lucas coincides with a massive surge in party membership, which reportedly nearly quadrupled from around 60,000 last September to approximately 230,000.

However, this rapid growth has been accompanied by accusations of antisemitism and ideological friction between veteran environmentalists and radical left-wing and Islamist activists. Under party rules, the controversial policy cannot be broadly altered before 2028 unless Polanski intervenes, though his spokesperson indicated no such plans exist.