12 hrs ago
Britain’s Green Party Votes to Label Zionism Racism
Britain’s Green Party voted to describe Zionism as a kind of racism.
The vote passed, though many senior party figures opposed the motion.
The party says Zionism is an ethnonationalist political project.
The motion also supports self-determination and calls for one democratic state throughout historic Palestine.
Some British Jewish groups said the decision was antisemitic and could lead to discrimination.
Israel also condemned the vote and said it supported Hamas’s ideology.
A Green Party supporter said the conflict and Palestinian deaths were important context for the decision.
Green Party leaders said they can support Palestinians’ rights and Jewish people’s rights at the same time.
The Green Party passed a motion classifying Zionism as a form of racism by 1,022 votes to 813.
The party described Zionism as an “ethnonationalist political project” and renewed its call for Britain to end arms trade with Israel.
The motion backs self-determination and calls for a single democratic state throughout historic Palestine.
British Jewish groups condemned the vote, with one group saying it made antisemitism party policy.
Israel said the vote legitimized terrorism; Green Party figures said they would continue criticizing the Netanyahu government while supporting the rights of Palestinians and Jewish people.
- Who
- Britain’s Green Party; British Jewish groups and the Israeli government criticized the vote.
- What
- The party passed a motion classifying Zionism as a form of racism.
- Where
- At the Green Party’s party conference in Britain; the motion refers to historic Palestine.
- When
- Sunday, October 4; the article does not specify the year.
- Why
- A Green Party supporter cited the Palestinian death toll in the conflict with Hamas as key context for the vote.
Supporters of the motion
Critics of the motion
How Zionism is characterized
Supporters of the motion
Supporters described Zionism as an ethnonationalist movement and argued the motion clearly defined it.
Critics of the motion
Critics, including Jewish groups, said the decision made antisemitism party policy and could be used to discriminate against Jews.
Israel and the conflict
Supporters of the motion
Mothin Ali said the Palestinian death toll in the conflict with Hamas was key context for the vote; Green figures said they would continue to condemn crimes by the Netanyahu government.
Critics of the motion
Israel rejected accusations of ethnic cleansing and genocide, condemned the vote, and said it reflected Hamas’s ideology.
Key facts
- Vote result
- 1,022 in favor and 813 opposed.
- Party description
- The Green Party described Zionism as an “ethnonationalist political project.”
- Motion’s political position
- It backs self-determination and calls for a single democratic state throughout historic Palestine.
- Arms trade
- The party renewed its call for Britain’s Labour government to end all arms trade with Israel.
- Green Party vote share
- The party received 6% of the vote in national elections in 2024.
- Party leader
- Zack Polanski did not vote.
Quotes
Israeli government
Government of Israel, which condemned the Green Party vote
“The motion defines Zionism quite clearly. It defines it as an ethnonationalist movement. It defines it as ethnic cleansing. It defines it as genocide.”
theprint.in
“The Greens have adopted not only the green of Hamas, but also its ideology: the elimination of the State of Israel through armed struggle.”
theprint.in
Movement for Progressive Judaism
British Jewish group that condemned the vote
“The Green Party has made antisemitism party policy and become a racist party.”
theprint.in
Sources
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