UK Green Party Faces Internal Division Over 'Zionism is Racism' Motion

The UK Green Party is experiencing a significant internal rift over a proposed motion that seeks to label Zionism as racism and gain party endorsement for actions perceived as aiming for the destruction of Israel.

A motion advocating for "a single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital" is slated for a vote. It calls for broad boycotts and sanctions akin to those imposed on Apartheid South Africa, asserting that "Zionism has created and seeks to maintain – and where possible – expand, an apartheid regime between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea."

Deputy co-leader Mothin Ali publicly stated his intention to back the motion, drawing a parallel between Zionism and the Israeli military actions in Gaza. "The ultimate form of racism is genocide, so anyone that believes in genociding people just so they can live free, that is racism," Ali commented on Sky News.

Party leader Zack Polanski indicated he would abstain from the vote, emphasizing the party's unity regarding the situation in Gaza. However, three former leaders have voiced opposition.

Caroline Lucas and Adrian Ramsay, former co-leaders, expressed concerns that the motion could be divisive. Carla Denyer, another former leader, stated she would not support a plan that might "set us back" in advocating for Palestinians. She further warned on social media that the motion "risks alienating a significant proportion of Jewish people, including those who vehemently disagree with the Israeli government; support boycott, divestment and sanctions, and are strong advocates for Palestinian rights."

Denyer added, "I am proud of the Green Party's culture of robust political debate coupled with a drive to build positive consensus, so I am confident that it would be possible for us to come to a position and write a motion that addresses the concerns that I and others have raised, while strengthening our support for Palestinian liberation. Sadly I do not think this motion is it."

The motion, set to be debated at the party's conference in Brighton, 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. Zionism is historically understood as a movement for the establishment of a Jewish homeland, now associated with support for the state of Israel.

When questioned by the BBC about whether the proposal for a single Palestinian State implied the eradication of Israel, Polanski suggested an amendment was needed. He stated his desire for "equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians" and asserted that political parties should not dictate the future settlement. He clarified that "Both Israelis have a right to exist. Palestinians have a right to exist."

Lucas, the Green Party's first Member of Parliament, stated to the BBC that the motion carried "a real risk that it will be divisive and could be seen as a sign that Jewish people aren't welcome in the party." Ramsay echoed these concerns in comments to The Times newspaper.

Green peer Jenny Jones, who is scheduled to chair the session, acknowledged the potential for debate, telling Sky News, "It's going to be a long session. It could be quite, you know, argumentative. But that's how we, that's how we run things. And I think a lot of things come up from the grassroots that are more radical than the things that perhaps the leadership want. But we have to listen."