The youth wing of the Green Party has put forward new internal guidelines proposing a more flexible approach to defining antisemitism, particularly in relation to criticism of Israel. These guidelines, set to be discussed at the Young Greens’ annual summer conference in London on July 18 and 19, suggest that opposition to Zionism and support for boycotting Israeli goods should not automatically be classified as antisemitic.

The proposed guidance also asserts that the “right to resist occupation” should not be considered antisemitic. It permits the use of terms such as “apartheid,” “settler colonialism,” and “genocide” when referring to the policies of the Israeli government, without explicitly differentiating between peaceful and violent forms of resistance.

Currently, the Young Greens’ disciplinary framework references the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which includes denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination as an example of antisemitic behavior. In addition, the guidelines acknowledge the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, which states that anti-Zionism is not inherently antisemitic.

A Green Party spokesperson emphasized that anti-Zionism is recognized as a legally protected political belief. They also noted that the Young Greens operate as a distinct entity within the broader party structure.

The proposed shift in guidelines has met with criticism. The Campaign Against Antisemitism expressed concern that this represents an attempt by a political faction to redefine antisemitism in a way that aligns with more extreme views, drawing parallels to controversies during the Jeremy Corbyn leadership era. A spokesman for the group argued that a strong attachment to Israel is central to Jewish identity, and efforts to sever this connection are fundamentally linked to contemporary antisemitism. They warned that denying this linkage risks embodying the very prejudice such rules aim to combat.

The debate over how to define antisemitism, especially regarding expressions of opposition to Zionism and Israeli policies, remains a contentious issue within political and activist circles. The Young Greens’ forthcoming conference will provide a platform for further discussion on how these terms and beliefs are interpreted and policed within the organization.