The UK Green Party has come under intense scrutiny following the passage of a motion at its recent conference declaring Zionism to be a form of racism. The motion, which critics say effectively calls for the abolition of Israel, has sparked widespread condemnation from political figures, faith groups, and civil rights organisations both within the UK and abroad.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis described the motion as “poisonous antisemitism” and warned that it posed a threat not only to British Jews but to the wider society. He criticized the Green Party for reviving what he called a “discredited and dangerous slander” originally promoted during the Soviet era. Similarly, Vivien Lichtenstein, head of the Jewish Greens, expressed disappointment, stating the motion did not advance the rights of Palestinians and prompted her to consider leaving the party.
The controversy escalated when Green Party leader Zack Polanski was barred from entering Israel, reportedly in retaliation for the party’s stance. Polanski, who did not participate in the vote but later endorsed the motion on social media, defended the party’s position, asserting that support for Palestinian rights was not incompatible with support for Jewish people.
The political fallout has been significant. Several Labour Members of Parliament have reported potential antisemitic offences to Sussex Police, urging an investigation into chants heard at the conference, including “say it loud, say it clear, Zionists are not welcome here.” The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has also been contacted to assess whether the motion contravenes laws on unlawful discrimination and whether Jewish members might face hostility within the party. Sussex Police confirmed receiving a letter regarding the matter and are reviewing the complaint.
Further compounding the issue, the chair of Amnesty International UK resigned from the Green Party, accusing it of pandering to the hard-left by failing to adequately address prejudice. European Green parties have also publicly distanced themselves from the motion.
The controversy has raised questions about the Green Party’s prospects for future political alliances, particularly with Labour. Some caution that the party’s stance could imperil coalition negotiations in a proportional representation system, a topic of recent discussion in UK politics.
The US government reportedly indicated it would be making representations to Britain regarding the motion, with Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the US special envoy for antisemitism, also expressing concern over implications for Jewish communities and institutions in the UK.
Despite mounting criticism, the Green Party has yet to issue a detailed public response. The issue continues to prompt debate about the line between legitimate political criticism of Israel and antisemitism, and how political parties should navigate these complex discussions amid broader concerns over discrimination and free speech.