Green Party Motion on Zionism Sparks Controversy and Backlash

A controversial motion passed by the Green Party that defines Zionism as a racist ideology has drawn significant backlash and scrutiny, with several individuals listed as supporters facing their own investigations or past controversies.

The motion, which defines Zionism as an ideology supporting an ethnonationalist Jewish state and advocates for a single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine, including modern-day Israel, was passed at the party's annual conference with 1,022 votes in favor and 813 against. Lubna Speitan is credited as the proposer of the policy.

Among the 745 identified supporters of the motion is Dr. Rebecca Jones, a general practitioner and Green Party councillor in Lewisham, south-east London. Dr. Jones, who is also known as 'The Vegan Doctor,' is currently undergoing a fitness to practise investigation by the General Medical Council. This investigation stems from her social media activity, which has included posts such as "Burn Zionism to the ground" accompanied by an image of a burning Israeli flag. She has also described a reading of the supposed last will and testament of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as "so beautiful" and has identified the punk duo Bob Vylan, known for chanting "death to the IDF" at Glastonbury Festival, as her "new favourite band."

Dr. Jones stated that the General Medical Council opened its investigation in June because she "speak[s] up against genocide and apartheid in Palestine." She further commented that "Anti-Zionist views constitute a protected philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010... Zionism can legitimately be viewed as inherently racist, imperialist and colonial. Supporting Palestinian liberation is both moral and just."

Also listed as signatories to the motion are two members of Palestine Action, Jeremy Parker and Helen Caney, who were involved in a foiled plot to damage an Israeli drone factory in 2021. Parker was found guilty of possessing an article with the intent to destroy property and received a suspended prison sentence, along with community service. The jury failed to reach a verdict on Caney initially, but she was later convicted of a similar charge and also received a suspended sentence. The judge noted their group would have caused over £30,000 in criminal damage at the site owned by arms company Elbit Systems. Caney issued a statement similar to Dr. Jones's when approached for comment.

Hau-Yu Tam, the deputy leader of Lewisham Council, is another listed supporter. Tam previously faced criticism for calling Labour MP David Lammy and Conservative Priti Patel "coconuts" and has retweeted posts labeling Zionism as "pure evil" and "unquestionably the Nazism of our time." She was cleared of a conduct complaint by a council investigation and had previously expressed support for a legal bid to have Hamas removed from the terror list.

Patrick Thelwell, who was given a community order for throwing eggs at King Charles and Queen Camilla in November 2022, is also a supporter. Thelwell, who now identifies as an "ecological gardener," "filmmaker," and "Green Party activist," promotes his activism on social media with the bio "I egg kings."

The motion has prompted a strong reaction, with Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who has been banned from Israel, stating he does not support the motion in its current form. Four out of five Green MPs have also opposed the motion. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has ruled out a coalition with the Greens, calling the motion "wrong" and "anti-Semitic."

Furthermore, the Labour Party has warned that it may terminate power-sharing agreements with the Greens on local councils in nearly 20 areas due to the controversy, giving councillors one week to respond.