'Zionism is racism' vote sparks walkouts, condemnations from within Green Party

While the motion passed 1,022 to 813, this represents only a tiny proportion of the Green Party's overall membership. With 230,000 members, the vote represented less than 1% of the party.

The UK Green Party is facing a growing internal revolt over its adoption of a “Zionism is racism” policy, with senior members resigning or considering resignation and the European Greens distancing themselves from the party's position.

As reported by The Jerusalem Post on Sunday, the UK Green Party voted in the controversial "Zionism is racism" motion at its party conference in Brighton, UK, on Sunday, passing the motion 1,022 votes to 813.

In doing so, it became the first mainstream party in Europe to declare itself openly anti-Zionist.

Following the result, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced that he is banning Green Party leader Zack Polanski from entering Israel.

Israel's foreign ministry described the motion as a "clear antisemitic text" and beyond "the boundaries of legitimate political debate."

UK politicians, Jewish groups condemn Green Party move

The passing of the motion has sparked condemnation from across the UK, including from politicians, Jewish groups and officials.

The Spectator revealed Monday that over a dozen Labour MPs - led by former Home Office minister Mike Tapp - reported the Green Party to Sussex Police and the EHRC over its ‘Zionism is racism’ policy, and asked the commission to examine whether events at the Green conference may have crossed into criminally actionable racial or religious hatred against Jewish people.

However, some of the greatest losses have come from within the party itself.

Amnesty International UK chair Sandy Ruthven has left the Green Party following the party's adoption of its "Zionism is racism" motion at its conference over the weekend.

Ruthven, who received 44% of the vote as Green Candidate in the Bristol Mayor election in 2021, wrote on LinkedIn, "My heart has always been with the Green Party of England and Wales, and I have been a member for longer than I can remember. But this motion at conference marks the end of the line for me."

"I have resigned my membership. In seeking to court the hard-left vote, we have failed to confront prejudice when it appears on our own side. In doing so, we have led ourselves into a political cul-de-sac. I sincerely hope the party finds a way back," he said.

A man named Julian Mellor commented, saying he too was leaving the party, despite a long-standing membership.

"I first joined what was then the Ecology Party in 1981. Having spent a life supporting them, this motion seems to indicate that they've taken a direction different to my own. The fact that a motion that seems better suited to student politics made its way into the policies of what should be a serious national political party is a rather sad testament to the quality of leadership," he commented.

The chair of Jewish Greens, Vivien Lichtenstein, told the BBC she will likely leave the party as a result of the motion.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she said "I haven't decided yet... It is quite possible that I will leave the party... I'm giving it a little time and to talk with colleagues."

Former party chief speaks out against vote

Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas spoke against the motion during the debate.

Following the result, she posted a statement saying that even though she "views the Israeli government as racist, that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide and [supports] the BDS campaign," she remains "firmly opposed to this motion."

She went on to say that Zionism is "both racist AND a response to racism" and said there is "oversimplification at the heart of the motion [which leads] to many Jewish members feeling scared."

MPs such as Ellie Chowns and Carla Denyer echoed similar views.

The European Greens - the coalition of Green Parties across Europe - announced it was distancing itself from the UK branch as a result of the motion.

In a statement, the EU Greens said it had contacted the UK Greens before the vote to express "deep concern" about the motion. The fact that the motion passed "goes against our agreed positions," EU Greens said, adding that it therefore "unequivocally distances [itself] from it."

"As EGP we will immediately demand clarity from the leadership and parliamentary group of GPEW to understand the official party policy, how they position themselves towards the self-determination of Israelis and Jews as well as the protection of Jewish people."

While the motion passed 1,022 to 813, this represents only a tiny proportion of the Green Party's overall membership. With 230,000 members, the vote represented less than 1% of the party.