Green Party in England and Wales passes motion defining Zionism as racism, sparking backlash from Jewish members

The Green Party of England and Wales has passed a motion defining Zionism as a form of racism, with 1,022 votes in favor and 813 against. This decision has left Jewish members of the party deeply unsettled, with some expressing feelings of betrayal and shock. The motion, which frames Zionism as racism, aligns with the party’s stated commitment to anti-racism, while also advocating for a single Palestinian state and supporting the right of Palestinians to resist.

The vote occurred during the party’s annual conference, which took place on Simchat Torah, a Jewish holiday celebrating the completion of the annual reading of the Torah. The motion also saw the rejection of a Jewish safeguarding amendment, which aimed to protect Jewish members from potential discrimination or harassment. The amendment was defeated by a margin of 1,026 to 648, raising concerns among Jewish members about their safety within the party.

Following the vote, activists outside the conference hall chanted “Say it loud, say it clear, Zionists are not welcome here,” while Jewish members were seen in tears. Some Jewish Greens sought refuge in a designated safe room, a space provided for those feeling unsafe at the event. The atmosphere inside the hall was polarized, with some celebrating the motion and others expressing deep distress.

Israel has condemned the motion, with officials calling the Green Party “a body that gives legitimacy to terrorism” and labeling the resolution a “stain” on Britain’s history. Danny Stone of the Antisemitism Policy Trust (APT) described the motion as a “disgrace” and “extremist,” and suggested the possibility of a legal challenge. The Jewish Chronicle spoke to several Jewish Greens who felt the party had strayed from its values, with one member stating that the party is “no longer the Green Party” after the vote.

Elise Benjamin, a founding member of the Jewish Greens and a member of the Oxford branch, expressed deep personal anguish over the decision. She turned her voting card into a yellow star and pinned it to her lapel, symbolizing the historical persecution of Jews. Benjamin emphasized that the party’s commitment to justice and non-violence has been compromised, and she warned that the motion could make Jews unsafe in their communities.

The motion’s language asserts that Zionism “will be treated as any other form of racism,” while also defending Palestinians’ right to resist. Party spokeswoman Abi Wilkinson stated that the rejection of the safeguarding amendment does not mean the Green Party will persecute Jewish members for attending synagogues. However, the party’s actions have sparked significant debate and concern within Jewish communities, highlighting the complex and often contentious intersection of politics, identity, and justice.

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