Board of Deputies condemns Green Party as racist after Zionism motion sparks backlash
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The Board of Deputies of British Jews voted overwhelmingly to brand the Green Party of England and Wales racist after the party backed a motion defining Zionism as racism, intensifying debate over antisemitism, Gaza, and political accountability.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews, the United Kingdom's largest Jewish representative body, voted 118-1 to label the Green Party of England and Wales a racist party. The move came after the Green Party conference passed a motion describing Zionism as an ideology that supports an ethnonationalist Jewish state to the exclusion or domination of non-Jewish residents.
Board of Deputies president Phil Rosenberg said the party had "by adopting an antisemitic platform, become a racist party" and warned that political parties should not form coalitions with the Greens unless the policy is rejected and overturned.
The Green Party responded that it does not discriminate against Zionist views and rejected the Board's characterisation. Party spokespersons said the decision would not stop the Greens from condemning the situation in Gaza or advocating for sanctions against the Israeli government.
Labour has warned local Green groups in coalition with it to disavow the motion or lose party support. The motion, which will remain party policy until 2028, was criticised by several Jewish organisations, four Green MPs, two former party leaders and other opposition parties.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, did not vote on the motion and later told the BBC that while he would consider amendments, he does not intend to overturn the policy.