Green Party Faces Backlash Over Leaked Messages Discussing 'Killing Zionists'

The Green Party is facing renewed criticism following the leak of WhatsApp messages in which members reportedly discussed "killing Zionists" and described violence against Jewish people as "understandable." The messages, shared within a private group chat named "Greens Against Imperialism," have led to accusations of antisemitism and extremism within the party.

One of the messages allegedly posted by Sophus Magill, a Green parish councillor on the Isle of Wight and creator of the chat group, stated that "Zionism has to go" and that the "only solution is one equal state." When questioned if this implied a desire for Israel to be "wiped off the map," Magill reportedly responded, "Yes, I would like that."

Further messages indicated that British Jews were considered "a weapon" of Israel. Another Green member reportedly suggested that protests against the Iranian regime were "instigated and armed by the Americans and the Zionists." A different exchange saw a Green member describe Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a proscribed terror group in Britain, as "part of a national liberation movement."

David Taylor, the Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead, called the comments "sickening" and stated they demonstrate "how extreme the Green Party has become." He urged the Greens to "identify these members immediately, expel them from the party and report them to the police."

Lord Walney, the government's former extremism tsar, commented that the "sinister justification of political violence from Green Party activists puts British Jews in increased danger of attack." He added that such incidents highlight "the virulent antisemitism infecting much of the so-called progressive left in the UK" and suggested that if the Green Party "continues to deny the extremism they are stoking, they should be treated in the same way as far right parties who excuse or promote violence."

A spokesperson for the Green Party stated, "We do not comment on internal party forums or discussions on WhatsApp groups that are not official party group channels." The Times newspaper reported that Mr. Magill was approached for comment.