Green Party delegates voted overwhelmingly at their annual conference in Brighton to adopt a motion declaring Zionism as a form of racism, with 1022 members supporting the measure against 813 opposing votes. The decision marks a significant policy shift for the British party and has sparked considerable debate within political circles.
Motion Passes at Annual Conference
The resolution was approved during the party’s annual gathering on Sunday, defining Zionism as “an ethnonationalist political project” while simultaneously clarifying that anti-Zionism should not be conflated with antisemitism. The motion represents one of the most consequential policy decisions the Green Party has made in recent years.
Zack Polanski, the party leader who is currently campaigning in the Holborn & St Pancras by-election, abstained from voting on the motion. Party officials confirmed Polanski did not cast a ballot during the proceedings, despite being eligible to do so.
Speaking after the vote, a Green Party spokesperson described the debate as “serious and deeply felt” among party members. The spokesperson added: “Our members value the ability to bring forward and decide party policy, and conference has now made its decision.” They further noted that the party has “consistently opposed the illegal occupation of both Palestinian and Syrian land, called for an end to arms sales to the Israeli government and spoken out fearlessly about the devastating situation in Gaza and the West Bank.”
Party’s Long-Standing Position on Palestine
The motion aligns with the Green Party’s long-standing advocacy for Palestinian rights and criticism of Israeli government policies. The party has been a consistent voice in British politics calling for an end to what it describes as the occupation of Palestinian territories.
The Green Party has historically maintained positions opposing arms sales to Israel and has been vocal about what it terms the “devastating situation” in Gaza and the West Bank. These positions have formed part of a broader anti-racism platform that the party claims to uphold.
The party’s stance places it among a small number of British political parties to formally adopt such language regarding Zionism. The decision comes amid ongoing international discussions about the relationship between criticism of Israel and accusations of antisemitism.
Reactions and Context
The vote has drawn attention from across the political spectrum, with various Jewish organisations and community leaders expressing concern about the motion’s implications. The definition of antisemitism has been a contentious issue in British politics, particularly following the adoption of the IHRA definition by several parties and institutions.
The Green Party emphasised that its motion does not equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism, attempting to distinguish between criticism of Israeli policies and discrimination against Jewish people. However, critics argue that the conflation of Zionism with racism could contribute to antisemitic sentiment.
The party’s spokesperson reiterated that the organisation remains “an anti-racist party” and that its commitment to “equality, justice and human rights for all and opposition to racism in all its forms” remains unchanged. The spokesperson added that the positions adopted through the conference “remain central to our approach.”
Electoral Implications
The timing of the motion’s passage coincides with heightened tensions in UK politics surrounding the Palestinian issue, particularly in the context of recent conflicts in Gaza. The decision may impact the party’s standing among Jewish voters and communities across Britain.
Zack Polanski, who is contesting the Holborn & St Pancras by-election, will likely face questions about the party’s direction from constituents and opponents alike. The by-election, triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Sir Keir Starmer’s predecessor, represents a key test for the party’s electoral strategy.
The motion’s adoption demonstrates the influence of the party’s grassroots membership in setting policy direction. Green Party conferences have historically served as venues for significant policy decisions, reflecting the views of the party’s activist base rather than its parliamentary representatives.
Why it Matters
This decision represents a pivotal moment in British political discourse, potentially reshaping how parties navigate the complex intersection of Middle East policy, antisemitism, and anti-racism. The motion’s passage may influence electoral dynamics, particularly among Jewish communities and pro-Palestinian voters, while also testing the party’s ability to balance its principles with broader social cohesion concerns. As the debate over Zionism, antisemitism, and Palestinian rights continues to evolve globally, the Green Party’s stance could set precedents for how other progressive parties approach these sensitive but increasingly urgent issues.