The Israeli foreign ministry has issued a formal statement condemning the Green party following a party vote, characterising the newly adopted resolution as a stain on the history of the United Kingdom. Tom Scotson of the Sun reports that the foreign ministry criticized the move for legitimizing armed struggle, calling for a Palestinian state from the river to the sea, and labeling the Jewish people’s aspiration for self-determination as racist.
Israeli Foreign Ministry Condemns Green Party Vote
According to the Israeli foreign ministry statement, the resolution adopted by the Green party goes far beyond the boundaries of legitimate political debate. The ministry asserted that the text calls for the destruction of the State of Israel and stated that the resolution will stand as a stain on the history of the United Kingdom for as long as it remains in place.
Ahead of the vote, a joint letter from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Community Security Trust, and the Jewish Leadership Council warned that passing the motion would place the Green party on the extreme margins of democratic politics. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp stated that the vote shows the party is toxic to its core, adding that British Jews should not have to disclaim a belief in Jewish self-determination to be accepted by a British political party.
Did You Know? The Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Community Security Trust, and the Jewish Leadership Council wrote a joint letter to the Green party prior to the vote warning of political marginalization.
Politicians react to controversial green party motion
Adrian Ramsay, the former co-leader of the Greens, issued a statement expressing deep sadness that the motion passed, noting that it does not reflect Green principles or his own view while affirming the 2024 manifesto commitment of equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians. Conversely, Your Party MP Zarah Sultana posted on social media in agreement with Green activists, writing that Zionism is racism.
Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron criticized Green leadership for skipping the vote and failing to use authority to argue against the motion, while inviting disgruntled Green members to join his party. Meanwhile, Paul Ovenden, former director of political strategy for Keir Starmer in No 10, stated that the vote makes it impossible for the Green party to be accommodated in any administration following last week’s discussions on electoral reform.
Green party leaders endorse new statement amid chaos
The Green party subsequently released an updated news release indicating that a statement asserting there is no conflict between supporting the rights of Palestinians and Jewish people has been endorsed by party leader Zack Polanski, along with co-deputy leaders Rachel Millward and Mothin Ali. However, Daniel Sugerman, deputy editor of Jewish News, compared this statement to saying they would never tolerate fire as a house goes up in flames. Senior party sources admitted to Jewish News that the Greens have been plunged into chaos, with Polanski and MPs acting too late and too weakly against the motion.
Commentators such as the Guardian’s Jessica Elgot suggested that the motion could draw an investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), drawing parallels to previous Labour party breaches.
Israeli foreign ministry condemns party vote as racist
What did the Israeli foreign ministry say about the Green party vote?
The Israeli foreign ministry issued a statement condemning the vote as a shocking resolution that legitimizes armed struggle, calls for a Palestinian state from the river to the sea, and labels Jewish self-determination as racist, describing it as a stain on the history of the United Kingdom.
Which organizations wrote a joint letter to the Green party before the vote?
The Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Community Security Trust, and the Jewish Leadership Council wrote a joint letter warning that passing the motion would place the party on the extreme margins of democratic politics.
How did Green party leaders respond to the fallout?
Green leader Zack Polanski and co-deputy leaders Rachel Millward and Mothin Ali endorsed a statement asserting there is no conflict between supporting Palestinian rights and Jewish rights, while former co-leader Adrian Ramsay stated he was deeply saddened that the motion passed.
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