Burnham Urges Green Party Leader to Reverse Zionism Motion

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has called on Green Party leader Zack Polanski to reverse a motion passed by party members that declared Zionism a form of racism. The motion, approved at the Green Party's conference in Brighton, defined Zionism as an ideology supporting an "ethnonationalist Jewish state" and backed a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine."

Burnham, speaking during a visit to Berlin, stated that the motion was "completely wrong" and demonstrated "terrible judgement." He urged the Green Party leadership to reverse the resolution, emphasizing that it should not be considered Green Party policy. Burnham also indicated that the motion effectively ruled out a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, a stance he believes should not be supported.

Controversy Surrounds Green Party Motion

The resolution has generated significant controversy, with four of the five Green Party Members of Parliament opposing it. The party's co-deputy leaders are split on the issue, and the Green deputy leader in Wales has resigned. The motion has also drawn condemnation from party members and Green counterparts in Europe.

Polanski, who is currently a candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, did not vote on the motion. He had left the conference early to focus on his by-election campaign. An amendment he supported, which aimed to prevent the motion from being used to exclude Jewish members attending Zionist synagogues, was voted down by party members.

Previously, Polanski had expressed a desire for the reference to a single Palestinian state to be altered, stating that neither the Green Party nor the British government should dictate the future settlement. The Green Party operates on an internal democracy model where members decide official policy, though these positions are not always included in general election manifestos.

Green Party Response

In a statement following the vote, Polanski indicated he would not accept the exclusion of any party member based on their religious or communal affiliation. A spokesperson for the Green Party stated that the issue is emotive and complex, acknowledging the discussion it has prompted. The spokesperson added that "Israel's behaviour has had" context, citing accusations of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and the killing of children, and criticized the political establishment for its perceived inaction and support.

The International Court of Justice is currently hearing a case brought by South Africa accusing Israeli forces of genocide. Israel has dismissed these claims as "wholly unfounded."