Scottish Green Party's Stance on Zionism Sparks Controversy

A motion passed at the Green Party conference in England and Wales, which declared Zionism to be racist, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, drawing condemnation from political rivals and Jewish community leaders. The Scottish Green co-leader, Ross Greer, who supported the motion, stated that his party agreed with some aspects of the resolution while disagreeing with others, notably declining to take a position on a potential "two-state solution" in the Middle East. Greer also condemned the "horrific war crimes" perpetrated by Hamas against Israelis.

Earlier this year, a United Nations commission of inquiry reported that Israel had deliberately targeted Palestinian children, leading to findings of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in the Gaza Strip, as well as war crimes in the occupied West Bank. Israel's foreign ministry rejected these claims, labeling the report a "libellous sham."

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay decried Greer's remarks as "disgusting and dangerous," telling BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast that "The Scottish Greens are no longer hiding their view that they don't think Israel has a right to exist." Findlay added, "This anti-Israel obsession has been normalised. The Jewish community in Scotland are living in fear and being blamed for the actions of the Israeli government."

First Minister John Swinney stated that he did not agree with the Green Party motion, emphasizing, "There are very well established definitions in law of what constitutes racism and I think we should stick by those definitions and not come up with definitions at party political conferences."

Responding to the Green Party conference vote, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council issued a statement saying, "Branding most British Jews and Jewish institutions 'racist' stokes anti-Jewish hatred after a year in which British Jews have been murdered attending their synagogue, stabbed in the streets, and seen their community buildings firebombed."

The European Green Party, an umbrella body that includes the Green Party for England and Wales, has issued a statement distancing itself from the motion and demanding clarity on how the party intends to protect Jewish people and self-determination.

Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, who is Jewish, did not participate in the conference debate or vote. Polanski has previously stated that "antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli state are, and must always be, completely distinct." Four of the party's five Members of Parliament also opposed the motion.

Green MP Ellie Chowns expressed deep sadness that the motion had become party policy, though she disagreed that it was antisemitic. She characterized the motion as being underpinned by a "principled opposition to the actions of the Israeli government." Chowns also noted that "less than 1%" of the party's over 200,000 members had participated in the vote.