Greens Leader Faces Backlash Over 'Zionism Is Racism' Motion

The Green Party is experiencing internal turmoil as a motion to classify "Zionism as racism" is set for debate at their conference. The resolution defines Zionism as support for "an ethnonationalist Jewish State" and states that it "will be treated as any other form of racism" by the party.

Caroline Lucas, the Green Party's first Member of Parliament, has expressed significant concerns about the motion, warning that it could be perceived as a signal that Jewish individuals are not welcome within the party. "There is no single definition of Zionism, and irrespective of the intentions of the people who put that motion forward, I think there is a real risk that it'll be divisive and could be seen as a sign that Jewish people aren't welcome in the party," Lucas stated.

Adrian Ramsay, a former co-leader of the Green Party, echoed these sentiments, calling the motion "not needed" and "not helpful." He argued that the party already has a strong stance against challenging the government and that adopting this policy could be seen as undermining the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to statehood. Ramsay emphasized his commitment to the party's 2024 manifesto, which advocated for equal rights for both populations.

Zionism is a movement historically associated with the establishment of a homeland for the Jewish people, and it now supports the existence of the State of Israel. The proposed Green Party motion explicitly states opposition to Zionism.

The motion also advocates for the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital. Current Green leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, has declared himself "an anti-Zionist." He is expected to support the motion but may also back amendments that would allow for Palestinian self-determination and include protections for Jewish members of the party.