British Green Party Labels Zionism as Racism, Sparks Israeli Press Outcry

The British Green Party has taken a significant stance by declaring its opposition to Zionism, marking it as the first major European political party to do so. This decision, made at the party’s annual conference in Brighton, has sparked strong reactions from Israeli media outlets such as “Sirael Hume” and “Jerusalem Post.” These publications view the move as a dangerous shift, suggesting it moves beyond a political stance against Israel to one that denies its continued existence.

The resolution passed by the party’s members defines Zionism as a political ideology aiming to establish a “national Jewish State” in historic Palestine, which, according to the proposal, would exclude or subjugate the non-Jewish population. With 1022 members voting in favor and 813 against, the resolution received 56% support. Out of the party’s total membership exceeding 200,000, only 1,835 members participated in the vote.

Israel Hume, one of the Israeli newspapers, characterized the resolution as a “dangerous precedent.” It highlights the proposal’s call for a single Palestinian State that guarantees “equal rights for all, including Jews,” without provisions ensuring the coexistence of Israel and Palestine under the two-State solution. This stance effectively challenges the continued existence of the State of Israel, according to the newspaper.

The party’s previous position allowed for one or two states following a democratic process, but the endorsement of the resolution signals a shift toward an official policy. The content of the resolution extends beyond labeling Zionism as racism, as it identifies it as the “founding ideology of Israel.” This framing supports the establishment of a “single democratic Palestinian State” throughout historic Palestine, which is seen as a direct challenge to the current Israeli state.

Both “Sirael Hume” and “Jerusalem Post” noted that the proposal did not face significant opposition within the party’s leadership. Prominent figures, including deputy leader Rachel Milward, former leader Cyan Perry, and former leaders Adrian Ramsay and Carla Denier, opposed the resolution. In contrast, deputy leader Mouthin Ali supported the proposal. The party’s leader, Zach Polanski, a Jew, did not vote due to his presence in an electoral campaign in northern London but did not condemn the resolution.

The decision by the Green Party to oppose Zionism reflects broader debates about the nature of political ideologies and their implications for statehood and coexistence. As the resolution moves closer to becoming official policy, it raises important questions about the future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of political parties in shaping its resolution. The situation underscores the complexity of the issue, requiring careful consideration of historical, political, and ethical dimensions.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Arabic)