UK Prime Minister Urges Green Party to Reverse Zionism Motion
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Prime Minister Rishi Burnham called on the Green Party to rescind a motion on Zionism, saying it undermines a two-state solution, as internal disputes continue over the party's stance.
Prime Minister Rishi Burnham said the Green Party's recently adopted Zionism motion should be reversed, arguing it effectively rules out a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. He told reporters in Berlin that the motion "shouldn't be supported in any way, shape or form" and urged the party leadership to clarify that it will not become official policy.
The motion, passed at the Green Party conference, has sparked controversy within the party. Four of the five Green MPs opposed it, the co-deputy leaders were split, and the Welsh deputy leader resigned. Former Green leader Caroline Lucas, who voted against the motion, described it as "dangerous" and "divisive" and called for stronger leadership from the party's current head.
Green candidate Polanski, who left the conference early to focus on a by-election campaign, did not vote on the motion. He previously backed an amendment to protect Jewish members who attend synagogues identifying as Zionist, but the amendment was rejected. Polanski also said he does not believe the party or the UK government should decide the future settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Green Party operates under an internal democracy model where members decide policy, though such positions are not automatically reflected in general-election manifestos. A party spokesperson described the issue as emotive and complex, noting the broader context of Israel's actions.
Burnham declined to comment on potential future coalition arrangements with the Greens.