The Green Party is facing internal debate over a forthcoming policy motion that equates Zionism with racism, a move that has generated concern about potential alienation of Jewish members and supporters. The motion, which emerged as the most supported in a members’ vote, is set to be discussed at the party’s conference in Brighton in early October.

Zack Polanski, leader of the Greens in England and Wales, has not publicly addressed the motion, which calls for the recognition of Zionism—the movement supporting a Jewish state—as a form of racism. It also advocates for the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian state encompassing all of historical Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital, guarantees of equal rights for all residents, and the right of return for Palestinians and their descendants. The document further asserts Palestinians’ right to resist what it describes as Israeli occupation, domination, and subjugation within the framework of international law.

This is not the first time such a motion has been proposed. A similarly titled motion was submitted to the Greens’ spring conference earlier this year but was not debated due to time constraints. At that time, party MPs and Polanski were reportedly opposed to the proposal.

According to sources within the party, Polanski has expressed reservations about supporting a motion that could make Jewish members feel unwelcome or hinder progress toward peace in the region. However, some party members suggest Polanski may be cautious about publicly challenging the motion out of concern for alienating newer, left-leaning members who have joined the Greens under his leadership—many of whom hold strong views regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. This support base is partly composed of former Labour Party members aligned with Jeremy Corbyn’s left wing.

One senior Green official described Polanski as trying “to be everything to everyone,” a strategy that poses challenges amid growing tensions within the party. Some activists backing the motion are reportedly vocal and assertive, leading to worries about divisiveness. Leaked internal communications reveal some members expressing frustration with Polanski’s stance, accusing him of being influenced by "Zionist indoctrination."

In response to the controversy, two amendments have been tabled to soften the language of the motion, with indications that Polanski may support these revisions. The timing of the conference—occurring just one week before the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, where Polanski is campaigning to win the seat from Labour—may affect attendance and voting dynamics. Some party officials have suggested that the absence of leadership-aligned activists could increase the chances of the motion, in its original or amended form, being adopted.

Critics within the party warn that passing the motion could damage the Greens’ relationship with the UK Jewish community, many of whom are critical of the current Israeli government but view the motion as overly broad or exclusionary. At the same time, there are concerns that internal divisions over Israel-Palestine issues could disrupt what many had considered until recently a more stable and measured policy-making process within the party. The upcoming weeks are being watched closely as a potential test of Polanski’s leadership and his willingness to navigate these sensitive debates.