Green Party Leader Pledges No Exclusion Amid Backlash Over 'Zionism is Racism' Motion

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has stated he will not accept any form of exclusion within the party, following significant criticism of a conference motion that equated Zionism with racism. The resolution, passed by a margin of 1,022 votes to 813, described Zionism as the "historic and ongoing dehumanisation, displacement, dispossession, disenfranchisement and destruction of Palestinians."

Polanski, who is Jewish, emphasized that antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli state must remain distinct. He asserted his responsibility to ensure all members feel safe and welcome, pledging that no one will be excluded or refused engagement because of their religious or communal affiliations. "As leader I will not accept any exclusion, or refusal to engage with anyone, because of the religious or communal body they are part of," Polanski stated.

The motion has highlighted divisions within the Green Party, particularly between its expanded membership base and its Members of Parliament elected in the last general election. Polanski abstained from the vote on the motion, and four of the party's five MPs opposed it.

In response to the motion, Israel's foreign ministry banned Polanski from entering the country. Several Jewish groups have condemned the resolution, labeling it an "attack on the Jewish community."

Adding to the pressure, nine Labour MPs have referred the Green Party to Sussex Police, requesting an investigation into whether alleged "possible antisemitic offences" at the conference warrant criminal proceedings. Their concerns were also directed to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), referencing a previous EHRC finding of failings in how Labour handled antisemitism. The EHRC has stated it will consider each complaint carefully but has not yet launched an investigation.

The European Green Party, an umbrella body of which the Green Party for England and Wales is a member, has also distanced itself from the motion. The organization stated it would "immediately demand clarity" from the Green Party's leadership regarding how they plan to protect Jewish individuals and ensure self-determination.

Green MP Ellie Chowns expressed sadness over the motion's adoption but disagreed that it was antisemitic, characterizing it as a "principled opposition to the actions of the Israeli government." She suggested a review of the party's policymaking processes was necessary, noting that less than 1% of the Green Party's over 200,000 members participated in the vote.