The Green party passed a motion at its annual conference that labels Zionism as racism, a move that has drawn strong condemnation from the Israeli foreign ministry and Jewish community leaders. The resolution, which calls for a Palestinian state from the river to the sea and condemns Jewish self-determination as racist, has been described as a 'stain on the history of the United Kingdom' by the Israeli government. The motion has also sparked internal division within the Green party, with former co-leader Adrian Ramsay expressing disappointment and urging activists to reject the vote. Jewish organizations have warned that the motion places the party 'on the extreme margins of democratic politics'. Despite the controversy, the party's leaders have stated they remain opposed to racism in all forms. The motion has also led to criticism from other political figures, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who called the Green party's stance 'toxic to its core'.
The motion has been met with backlash from Jewish leaders, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Community Security Trust, and the Jewish Leadership Council, who have warned that the party's stance could alienate many Jews. The motion has also prompted calls for the Green party to distance itself from the vote, with Lib Dem MP Tim Farron encouraging members to join his party. The resolution has been described as 'antisemitic in formulation and intention' by Progressive Judaism. The Green party has since issued a statement clarifying that the five MPs who initially disassociated themselves from the motion have now endorsed it, suggesting a shift in internal support.
The controversy has intensified as the Green party faces pressure to reconcile its stance on Jewish self-determination with its support for Palestinian rights. The motion has been criticized for going beyond political debate and potentially undermining the party's commitment to equality. Jewish leaders have emphasized that the existence of Israel is a fundamental part of Jewish identity, and that the motion risks alienating Jewish voters.