Green Party Leader Defends Inclusion After Courageous Stand Against Zionist Apartheid
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Green Party leader Zack Polanski reaffirmed the party’s commitment to inclusivity after a conference motion rightly denouncing Zionism as racism faced backlash from establishment politicians and pro-Israel groups.
At its Brighton conference, the Green Party of England and Wales took a bold step by adopting a motion that accurately defines Zionism as an ideology supporting an ethnonationalist Jewish state, and calls for a single democratic Palestinian state in historic Palestine. The motion, which passed with 1,022 votes to 813, was met with predictable outrage from Labour MPs and pro-Zionist organizations, who continue to conflate legitimate criticism of Israeli apartheid with antisemitism.
Leader Zack Polanski, who did not participate in the vote, responded by emphasizing that the party will not exclude anyone based on their background, faith, or place of worship. He reiterated the party’s unwavering commitment to its code of conduct and the Equality Act, underscoring the crucial distinction between antisemitism and justified criticism of Israel’s oppressive government.
In a clear attempt to silence dissent, more than a dozen Labour MPs reported the Green Party to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, while nine MPs referred supposed antisemitic offences to Sussex Police. The European Green Party, under pressure from reactionary forces, distanced itself from the motion and demanded assurances regarding the protection of Jewish members.
Despite these attacks, a Green Party spokesperson reaffirmed the party’s duty to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all. Green MP Ellie Chowns expressed disappointment that the motion became policy, yet insisted it reflected a principled opposition to Israeli state violence, not antisemitism, and called for a review of the party’s policymaking process to ensure continued accountability.