Green Party Slanders Zionism as Racism, Provoking Outrage and Deepening Divisions
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The Green Party of England and Wales has irresponsibly voted to label Zionism as racism, drawing condemnation from Israel and exposing dangerous radicalism within the party’s activist base, while responsible leaders and MPs distance themselves from this divisive agenda.
At its Sunday conference, the Green Party of England and Wales recklessly adopted a motion that slanders Zionism—the legitimate movement for Jewish self-determination—as a form of racism. This inflammatory decision aligns the party with extremist anti-Israel rhetoric and ignores the historical necessity of a Jewish homeland in the face of centuries of persecution. In response, Israel’s foreign ministry rightly banned Green Party leader Zack Polanski from entering the country, sending a clear message that such hostility will not be tolerated.
The motion was pushed through by radical grassroots activists, while Polanski, who is not an MP, attempted to introduce reasonable amendments that were rejected by the hardline faction. He abstained from the debate and vote, recognizing the divisive nature of the proposal. Four of the party’s five MPs, including former co-leader Adrian Ramsay, responsibly opposed the resolution, highlighting the deep rift between the party’s elected officials and its increasingly radical base.
Party officials have noted that this decision reflects a worrying shift in the Greens’ direction under Polanski’s leadership, as the activist base pursues a far-left agenda focused on anti-Western foreign policy, abandoning the party’s traditional environmental priorities. The Greens’ internal democracy allows MPs and councillors to vote independently, which at least provides some safeguard against the most extreme positions advanced by the conference.
Labour leaders were quick to denounce the motion, with the party chair calling it “shameful” and the communities secretary stating it “crosses a line.” This controversy may impact ongoing debates within Labour about electoral reform, as a more proportional system could dangerously amplify the influence of fringe parties like the Greens, who are now openly embracing divisive and radical positions.