At its annual conference in Brighton, members of the Green Party of England and Wales voted in favour of a resolution equating Zionism with racism. 1022 delegates voted for the adoption of the document, while 813 voted against.
The motion defines Zionism as an ideology that supports an "ethnonationalist Jewish state" in historic Palestine. It states that the real manifestation of this ideology is "the dehumanisation, displacement, dispossession and destruction of Palestinians." The resolution calls for the creation of a single democratic Palestinian state across the entire territory of historic Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital.
The decision drew sharp criticism from Jewish organisations in the United Kingdom. The Board of Deputies, the Jewish Leadership Council and the Movement for Reform Judaism stated that the resolution makes antisemitism party policy. They stressed that Zionism arose as a response to the persecution of Jews and provides a refuge for the Jewish people.
The Israeli government condemned the document, calling it a "perverse resolution" that legitimises terrorism. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged other British parties, primarily Labour, to reject this position.
Within the party itself, the vote laid bare divisions. Party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, did not take part in the vote — he was on the campaign trail in London. Four of the party's five members of parliament publicly spoke out against the resolution. A joint statement by the leaders and the MPs after the vote reaffirmed their commitment to anti-racism and Palestinian rights, but did not directly condemn the document that was adopted.
How will this decision affect the party's reputation and its chances in the upcoming elections? A party representative noted that the debate was serious and profound, and that the conference simply exercised the members' right to determine policy.
The resolution also reaffirms support for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, as well as a full arms embargo. The Greens had previously condemned the occupation and called for an end to arms trade with Israel.
