Green Party Faces Scrutiny Over Activist's Anti-Israel Remarks and Role in Discipline Committee

A Green activist who stated she was "naive" for opposing Hamas and has made social media posts equating Jewish Israelis with Nazis is now serving on the party's disciplinary committee. Halima Brewer was elected to the committee at the Green Party's annual conference in Brighton last weekend, a role that involves investigating complaints against members and participating in judgment hearings.

Revelations about Brewer's past social media activity have emerged during a turbulent week for the Green Party, which is already facing accusations of failing to address antisemitism. The party recently passed a controversial motion labeling "Zionism is Racism" at the same conference where Brewer was elected.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) has reported the Green Party to the equalities watchdog over the motion, which the CAA describes as discriminatory against Jews and potentially unlawful. The organization's head, Gideon Falter, stated that the party is either "above the law" or has demonstrated "staggering incompetence."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, speaking from Berlin, called the passing of the motion a "completely wrong decision" and "terrible judgement" by the party. He urged the Green leadership to reverse the policy, arguing it effectively rules out a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

Brewer's social media posts, as reported, include statements such as "I used to oppose Hamas because I thought their strategy for freeing Palestine was counterproductive. I have dropped that naive view and now think the only thing Palestinians have left is violent resistance against the bigger terrorist – the biggest of all now – Israel." She also shared an image with the caption: "Hamas are not the terrorists. They're the ones fighting against the terrorists." Another post stated: "There is no country called 'Israel.' There is only Palestine, which is currently occupied by an army of international thieves and murderers."

Responding to these reports, a spokesperson for the Board of Deputies of British Jews said the comments endorsing terrorism are "deeply concerning" and should be investigated by the police. The spokesperson added that these views appear to be "further evidence of what the antisemitic motion passed on Sunday shows the Greens have become: an extremist party with a platform of anti-Jewish racism."

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp commented, "If true, these reports are another horrifying example of how deeply rooted antisemitism has become in the Green Party. That such views may be represented on the Party's disciplinary committee is beyond ridiculous."

A spokesperson for the Green Party stated that the highlighted posts "do not reflect the views or the value of the Green Party" and that any examples brought to their attention that do not align with the party's views are investigated through existing processes.

The controversy surrounding Brewer's position comes as Zack Polanski, a Green Party leader, faces scrutiny regarding the handling of antisemitism within the party. Polanski is set to learn his fate in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election for Sir Keir Starmer's former seat.