Greenwich councillors unite to reject Green Party’s ‘Zionism is racism’ stance

Greenwich councillors unanimously backed a motion rejecting the Green Party's controversial "Zionism is racism" stance after hearing emotional testimony from local Jewish residents about antisemitism.

The cross-party motion, proposed by Labourn-run council leader Anthony Okereke and seconded by Conservative leader Charlie Davis, was approved at a full council meeting on Wednesday night.

The debate heard contributions from members of the borough's Jewish community, including Michelle Brooks-Evans, chair of Bromley Reform Synagogue, who described incidents of antisemitic abuse experienced by her children and warned that many Jewish residents no longer felt the same sense of safety and belonging.

The motion agreed with a statement from the Greenwich Multi-Faith Forum that said, in part: “We do not agree with this [Green Party] motion and are concerned that it risks deepening division and undermining the sense of safety and belonging of Jewish people.”

Ms Brooks-Evans described recent acts of antisemitism experienced by her family, saying one of her daughters recently had swastikas drawn on her school books, and her son had been called a “baby-killer who should have died in a gas chamber” while at university.

She said: “I’ve always believed this is a place where people of different faiths and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and understanding. But today, that sense of safety and belonging is being eroded.”

While Michelle was speaking, someone sitting in the public gallery displayed a sheet of paper stating: “I live in Greenwich. I am Jewish. I believe Zionism is racism”. The sign was quickly confiscated by council officers.

Rabbi Ephraim Carlebach from Greenwich & Docklands Chabad called upon the people of the borough to stand up against racism and hatred in all its forms. He said words “can divide and make problems” but also have the ability to “unite and inspire people”.

While both Michelle and the rabbi were speaking, Palestine activists in the public gallery were filming them on their phones. Cllr Matt Hartley, former Conservative leader, criticised the “intimidating” actions as well as the “offensive banner” that was confiscated.

Lubna Speitan, the proposer of the divisive Green Party motion, criticised the actions of Greenwich Council while asking a public question. Appearing before members, she said: “Whatever motion Labour tables will not change the fact that Zionism is racist or that Green Party members passed this policy democratically.”

Lubna Speitan gained national attention when she proposed the ‘Zionism is racism’ motion that was approved by the Green Party membership at its 2026 conference in early October. She is a Greenwich resident who regularly attends council meetings.

A founding member of Greenwich Palestine Alliance, Lubna instigated legal action against Greenwich Council earlier this year, challenging the authority’s failure to divest over £60million in investments in companies with interests in Israel.

During public questions, Lubna criticised the “misleading, false and divisive” framing of the council’s new motion and said the Greenwich Multi-Faith Forum excluded “anti-Zionist Jews, Muslims and many other faith groups”.

Lubna said “Conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism is in itself, antisemitic” and described Israel as a “racist apartheid settler colony committing genocide”. Israel has consistently denied it is committing genocide in Gaza though a UN Commission of Inquiry concluded just last month that “Israel has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory amid continuing genocide in Gaza”.

When debating the motion, Cllr Okereke said the Green Party motion had “triggered worry and concern” in Greenwich, and that the council’s motion “commits us to working and tackling all types of hatred in our communities.”

Cllr Tamasin Rhymes, the Green opposition leader in Greenwich, said her group would be supporting the motion “on the basis of the Green Party’s commitment to the Equality and Equity Charter and believe that the council must uphold the Equality Act 2010 and tackle all forms of discrimination and racism equally”.

Cllr Rhymes also made reference to those killed in Gaza. “On Remembrance Day, as we remember those who have and do serve, I’m also reminded of those who die as civilians in conflict,” she said.

Once the council meeting concluded, Lubna shouted at councillors to consider the feelings of Palestinians in the borough who were “witnessing the erasure of our people”. She shouted “Free Palestine” upon being escorted from the chamber by members of security.