Lib Dem Deputy Criticized for Stance on Green Party Antisemitism Row

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper has drawn criticism for her response to the Green Party's controversial "Zionism is Racism" motion, particularly her refusal to sever local government power-sharing agreements.

Cooper condemned the motion, which she stated conflates British Jews with a foreign government and disrupts the consensus for a two-state solution in the Middle East. However, she indicated that it is up to the Green Party to resolve the issue they created and expressed sympathy for Liberal Democrat councillors finding themselves in difficult positions.

"My heart really goes out to our Liberal Democrat councillors because, you know, I feel for them because they've been put in an invidious position where they've stepped up to assume positions of power in their local community to run public services well, to make communities safe, and then they suddenly find that in some cases they're having to work with people who may or may not support this motion," Cooper said.

Her remarks sparked backlash from figures within the Conservative Party and from groups like Labour Against Antisemitism. Conservative MP Matt Vickers stated, "Faced with a vile antisemitic motion, the Liberal Democrats have chosen to save their sympathy for their own councillors rather than Britain's Jewish community. Liberal Democrat councillors are not the victims in this."

Alex Hearn, spokesperson for Labour Against Antisemitism, echoed this sentiment, arguing that condemnation is insufficient while power-sharing continues. Lord Walney, a former Labour MP, urged Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey to follow Labour's example in threatening to end coalitions with the Green Party over the issue.

This controversy follows a similar ultimatum issued by the Labour Party to its local Green Party branches. Labour has threatened to end power-sharing deals unless Green Party branches publicly disavow the anti-Israel stance, a move that could lead to significant political upheaval in councils across the country.

The Green Party's leader, Zack Polanski, has stated he will not overturn the motion but suggested it could be amended by 2028. There are 22 local government areas where the Liberal Democrats are in partnership with the Green Party, either independently or in conjunction with Labour.

A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats previously stated that decisions regarding local council arrangements are made by local councillors who best understand their communities.