Green Party Conference Organizes 'Safe Room' for Jewish Members Amidst Controversial Zionism Motion

Officials at the Green Party conference in Brighton were compelled to establish a 'safe room' for Jewish members amidst a 'febrile' atmosphere, as the party grapples with a divisive motion to declare Zionism a form of racism.

The controversial motion, scheduled for a vote, has intensified a bitter split within the party regarding its stance on Israel. Security measures were visibly heightened, with police present and demonstrations from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups managed outside the venue. A Jewish member of the party confirmed the existence of the safe room, stating it was used for a meeting between a rabbi and Jewish members on the first day of the conference. "It's a deeply upsetting situation, but that's the reality," the member said.

A Green Party source corroborated these measures, noting that a phone number and a room were available for members who felt worried, with arrangements made for them to enter the venue separately to avoid protests. A sign designating the room as 'No Access To Press' was observed on its door.

The proposed motion seeks to make the Green Party the only mainstream political party in Europe to officially adopt an anti-Zionist position. This has drawn criticism from senior party figures, including former leaders Caroline Lucas and Adrian Ramsay, who have described the motion as 'divisive' and 'not helpful.' Even Zack Polanski, who is currently seeking to become a Member of Parliament, has expressed concerns about the motion's scope. Deputy leader Rachel Millward has also labeled it 'problematic' unless amended to include protections for Jewish members.

However, joint deputy leader Mothin Ali publicly supported the motion, telling the BBC, "It talks about ethnic-cleansing, it talks about ethno-nationalism. Anyone that believes in that, then I think it is a racist ideology." This stance highlights the deep ideological divisions within the party.

Security at the three-day conference was notably stringent. One security guard indicated preparations were made 'for the worst,' with attendees subject to thorough searches. To facilitate these checks, the deadline for conference attendance registration was moved forward to September 25.

Discussions and debates surrounding Palestine have been a significant feature of the conference, with multiple sessions scheduled on both the main floor and fringe events. One such event on the first day was titled 'Palestine: The Golden Thread that Unravelled Britain,' chaired by a party member who had previously been detained by the Israeli navy. The panel included prominent anti-Zionist speaker Andrew Feinstein.

Despite the internal strife, Zack Polanski asserted that the Green Party is "absolutely united" on the issue, citing the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis there. He emphasized the party's collective recognition of the need to "end the genocide" and halt arms sales to Israel.

The security arrangements and the provision of a safe room have drawn comparisons to the situation faced by the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn, when Jewish MPs and members reportedly required protection from antisemitism. The situation underscores the challenges the Green Party faces in navigating complex geopolitical issues and ensuring inclusivity for all its members.