1 hr ago
Israel Bars Green Leader Zack Polanski After Anti-Zionism Vote
The Green Party in England and Wales voted to adopt a policy opposing Zionism.
The vote took place at the party’s annual conference in Brighton.
The motion received 1,022 votes in favour and 813 against.
It also backs several measures related to Palestinian rights, including a boycott campaign and an arms embargo on Israel.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the policy denies Jewish people the right to self-determination and announced that party leader Zack Polanski cannot enter Israel.
The Green Party said it remains opposed to racism and committed to equality and human rights.
Polanski and other party leaders said supporting Palestinians’ rights does not conflict with supporting Jewish people’s rights.
Israel barred Green Party of England and Wales leader Zack Polanski from entering the country.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered the ban after party members approved an anti-Zionist policy at their annual conference in Brighton.
The motion passed by 1,022 votes to 813 and defines Zionism as an “ethnonationalist political project.”
The policy supports Palestinian liberation, the right of return, BDS, an arms embargo on Israel and one democratic state throughout historic Palestine.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the resolution denies Jewish self-determination and is antisemitic; the party said it opposes racism and supports equality and human rights.
- Who
- Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar ordered an entry ban on Green Party of England and Wales leader Zack Polanski.
- What
- Israel barred Polanski from entering the country after the Green Party adopted a policy defining itself as anti-Zionist.
- Where
- The vote took place in Brighton, England; the ban applies to entry into Israel.
- When
- The party vote took place at its annual conference; the entry ban was announced on Sunday.
- Why
- Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the resolution denies Jewish self-determination and legitimises armed struggle against Israel.
Green Party and supporters
Israeli government
Meaning of the motion
Green Party and supporters
The Green Party describes Zionism as an ethnonationalist political project and says anti-Zionism should not be equated with antisemitism.
Israeli government
Israel’s Foreign Ministry says the resolution equates Zionism with racism and denies the Jewish people’s right to self-determination.
Effects and intent
Green Party and supporters
The party says it opposes racism and supports Palestinian and Jewish people’s rights, equality, justice and human rights.
Israeli government
The ministry says the resolution legitimises armed struggle against Israel and calls for a Palestinian state “from the river to the sea,” which it says means Israel’s destruction.
Key facts
- Vote
- 1,022 in favour; 813 against
- Conference location
- Brighton
- Policy status
- The motion is now formal Green Party of England and Wales policy.
- Policy definition
- The party defines Zionism as an “ethnonationalist political project.”
- Policy positions
- The motion supports Palestinian liberation, the right of return, BDS, a full arms embargo against Israel and one democratic state throughout historic Palestine.
- Israeli action
- Israel barred party leader Zack Polanski from entering the country.
- Israeli rationale
- Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the resolution denies Jewish self-determination and is antisemitic under the IHRA definition.
Quotes
Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Israeli government ministry that announced Polanski’s entry ban.
“Today, the Green Party in Britain adopted a resolution equating Zionism with racism, legitimising armed struggle against Israel, and calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state ‘from the river to the sea’ — meaning the destruction of the State of Israel.”
thestatesman.com
Green Party spokesperson
A spokesperson for the Green Party of England and Wales.
“This has been a serious and deeply felt debate within our membership. Our members value the ability to bring forward and decide party policy, and the conference has now made its decision.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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