The Green Party of England and Wales is facing international condemnation and internal division after passing a binding policy motion at its Brighton conference that classifies Zionism as a form of racism. The vote, held on Sunday, drew 1,022 votes in favor and 813 against. The motion asserts that Zionism should be treated like any other form of racism and supports a single democratic Palestinian state across historic Palestine.
European Greens Demand Clarity Over Party Stance
The European Green party, which represents 47 political parties including the Green Party of England and Wales, responded swiftly to the vote.
Felix Banaszak, co-leader of the German Greens—formally known as Alliance 90/the Greens—condemned the motion at a press conference as intolerable and unacceptable. Banaszak stated that the vote runs counter to what the European Green party stands for and emphasized that Israel’s right to exist must not be undermined.
Did You Know? The binding policy motion passed at the Green Party’s conference in Brighton won just over 1,000 votes, representing approximately 0.4% of the party’s total membership.
Conference vote exposes party fractures and sparks resignations
The conference vote exposed deep fractures within the party, particularly between its grassroots membership and its parliamentary representatives. Four of the party’s five MPs opposed the motion. Sandy Ruthven, chair of Amnesty International UK’s charitable trust and a longstanding Green member, resigned in protest over the motion, accusing the party of failing to confront antisemitism. Meanwhile, nine Labour MPs referred the Green Party to Sussex Police, asking the force to investigate whether alleged possible antisemitic offences at the conference merit a criminal investigation, according to reporting from the BBC.
The fallout has also intensified debates surrounding the party’s decentralised policymaking structures. Ellie Chowns, the Green MP for North Herefordshire and a former co-leader who opposed the motion, argued that the party’s governance urgently needs modernization. Chowns noted that policy is decided at two annual conferences involving a tiny fraction of the overall membership, pointing out that less than 1% of members actually participate.
Polanski Defends Leadership Amid Broad Censure
Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who missed the conference vote while campaigning in a by-election, released a lengthy statement addressing the severe backlash. Polanski, who is Jewish, stated that antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli state must always be completely distinct, adding that blurring the line makes Jewish people less safe. He stated that as leader he would not accept any exclusion or refusal to engage with anyone because of their religious or communal body.
Criticism of Polanski’s absence and response has been severe. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council issued a joint statement condemning the motion as an antisemitic platform and an attack on the Jewish community, while reserving particular criticism for Polanski for failing to vote or speak against the motion. Israel's foreign ministry responded to the crisis by banning Polanski from entering the country.
Green Party motion targets Zionism and backs single state
What exactly did the Green Party motion propose regarding Zionism?
The binding policy motion states that Zionism, defined as the movement for a Jewish state, should be treated as any other form of racism. It also backs a single democratic Palestinian state across historic Palestine with equal rights for all.
How did the party’s MPs vote on the motion?
Four of the Green Party’s five MPs actively opposed the motion during the conference vote in Brighton. Party leader Zack Polanski did not take part in the vote.
What specific international and domestic reactions followed the vote?
The European Green party and the co-leader of the German Greens criticized the policy as running contrary to the right of Israel to exist. Domestically, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council condemned the motion, Israel banned Polanski from entry, and nine Labour MPs referred the party to Sussex Police.
How will the Green Party reconcile the competing pressures from its grassroots membership and its international European allies moving forward?
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