Green Party at a 'Crossroads' Amid Controversy Over Palestine Motion, Says Former Co-Leader

The Green Party of England and Wales finds itself at a critical juncture following the adoption of a controversial motion supporting a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine," a policy that includes modern-day Israel. This development has drawn significant criticism from Jewish groups and senior party figures, including former co-leader Adrian Ramsay.

Ramsay stated he is "deeply uncomfortable" with the motion and believes the party is facing a "crossroads." He outlined two potential paths: doubling down on the current approach, which he fears could lead to a "divisive, internally focused" political strategy often seen among "small groups of people on the hard left," or refocusing on the party's "core aims and values."

The motion, adopted last month, led to immediate backlash. Israel's foreign ministry banned a Jewish party member, Peter Polanski, from entering the country. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has also requested further information from the Green Party regarding the motion after receiving complaints from Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs, as well as Jewish campaigners. The Labour Party has threatened to end power-sharing agreements with the Greens on local councils unless their councillors disown the policy.

Speaking on the matter, Ramsay clarified that he does not believe Zionism is racist and agreed with Polanski and others that the situation in Gaza is "appalling." However, he affirmed Israel's right to exist, a stance Polanski has not explicitly taken. Ramsay suggested an opportunity exists for the party to take action concerning the motion before its spring conference.

He emphasized the need for the party to adopt a "consensus-building" approach to politics and to engage its membership grassroots. Ramsay also stressed the importance of an "externally focused" strategy, asserting that environmental changes necessary to safeguard society can only be achieved with the support of the majority of the British public.

Polanski, who missed the conference vote due to an election by-election campaign, has expressed a desire to amend the motion in the future, calling it "imperfect." He defended the motion's assertion that "the displacement and genocide of the Palestinian people is clearly underpinned by a racist ideology," calling it "obvious," though Israel has repeatedly denied its actions in Gaza constitute genocide.

Under the Green Party's rules, motions passed by members become official policy, but their inclusion in the party's general election manifesto is not guaranteed.