The Green Party of England and Wales has formally declared itself an anti-Zionist party, following a vote at its conference in Brighton on October 4. The motion, passed by 1,022 to 813 votes, equates Zionism with racism and calls for the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian state encompassing all of historic Palestine, the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. An amendment aimed at protecting members of synagogues who identify as Zionist was rejected by a vote of 1,026 to 684. Outside the conference venue, some attendees chanted slogans opposing Zionists' presence.
The party’s motion went further, endorsing various methods of struggle, including armed resistance, and described supporters of Zionism as racists, genocidaires, and proponents of apartheid. The lead author’s statement ended with the slogan “Free Palestine, from the river to the sea,” a phrase that effectively calls for the dissolution of the State of Israel.
The motion has drawn strong criticism from parts of the British Jewish community. The Board of Deputies and the Jewish Leadership Council characterized the decision as an attack on the Jewish community, affirming that “Zionism is anti-racism.” According to the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, approximately 64% of British Jews identify as Zionists, underlining the significance of the party’s stance within the community.
The Green Party’s position in Brighton is part of a wider climate of shifting British public and institutional responses to Israel. In the same period, the Royal College of Nursing severed its relationship with Teva UK, an Israeli pharmaceutical company, following a campaign by Nurses for Palestine. Additionally, reports emerged that a former bodyguard for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, allegedly involved in planning attacks against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe, had been granted asylum and citizenship in the United Kingdom.
The European Green Party distanced itself from the Brighton motion, labeling it unacceptable, while renewing criticism of Israel’s government policies. Prominent figures within the Green Party of England and Wales have resigned in response to the vote, including a local councillor, a former opposition leader in Richmond, and the chair of Amnesty International UK’s board.
Israel has responded to the broader political moves by the British government rather than directly to the Green Party’s motion. Since recognition of a virtual Palestinian state by the UK government earlier in 2024, Israel has implemented diplomatic and security measures, including expelling British personnel from the International Gaza Support Center, ending British training programs for Palestinian Authority security forces in Judea and Samaria, denying entry to British individuals engaged in alleged antisemitic and anti-Israel activities, and closing the British Consulate in Jerusalem. While the UK Foreign Secretary stated the consulate’s status would temporarily change to the UK Mission in Jerusalem, most diplomats have departed the city.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar emphasized that these steps were a response to actions taken by the current UK Labour government, which also include suspending defense export licenses, freezing military dialogue, sanctioning Israeli ministers, and imposing significant restrictions on communities in Judea and Samaria. Sa’ar underscored the importance Israel places on relations with Britain but warned that “any country that acts against Israel must know that there will be a price for doing so,” indicating a shift toward a less conciliatory Israeli approach to diplomatic disagreements.
The contention surrounding Zionism, self-determination, and the recognition of states reflects ongoing debates about national identity and rights under international law. Critics of the Green Party motion argue it constitutes discrimination by denying the Jewish people a right recognized for other groups, while supporters advocate for Palestinian rights and oppose Israeli government policies. The situation underscores the complexity and sensitivity of evolving political ties between Israel and the United Kingdom.