UK's Green Party Labeled Racist by Jewish Advocacy Group

The Green Party of England and Wales has been declared a racist organization by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest Jewish body in the UK. The declaration came in response to a policy motion passed at the Green Party's recent conference that equated Zionism with racism.

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies, stated that a vote by 118 to one concluded that the Greens had adopted an antisemitic platform and consequently become a racist party. The Board of Deputies' motion urged other political parties not to form coalition deals with the Greens unless they disavow the policy, arguing that such alliances would demonstrate a failure to take antisemitism seriously.

In response, a spokesperson for the Green Party asserted that the party does not discriminate against individuals who hold Zionist views and rejected the Board of Deputies' characterization of the motion and the party. The spokesperson added that this decision would not impede their efforts to speak out against the conflict in Gaza or their push for stronger sanctions against the Israeli government. Israel has consistently denied that its actions in Gaza constitute genocide.

The motion passed by the Green Party conference defined Zionism as an ideology supporting an ethno-nationalist Jewish state in historic Palestine, to the exclusion or domination of the non-Jewish population. This stance drew criticism from various Jewish groups, several Green Party Members of Parliament, and former party leaders, as well as opposition political parties.

Previously, in a joint statement, the Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council had countered that "Zionism is anti-racism, creating a refuge for Jews in their ancient homeland after millennia of persecution outside it."

Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, did not participate in the vote on the motion as he had left the conference early to campaign in a by-election. He has since indicated to the BBC that while he would prefer to amend the motion, he would not overturn it, as it is set to remain party policy until 2028.

Labour has reportedly issued an ultimatum to local Green groups with whom it is currently in coalition, demanding that they disown the motion or face the withdrawal of Labour's support. The Board of Deputies' statement emphasized that "No political party has the right to tell Jews that a central part of our identity, rooted in thousands of years of history, faith and peoplehood, is racist."