UK Activists Launch Campaign Opposing Green Party’s ‘Zionism is Racism’ Motion

A group of mainly non-Jewish activists in the UK has launched a campaign to challenge antisemitism by publicly supporting Israel. The initiative, titled “Some people are Zionist! Get over it!” was launched on October 10, 2026, near the Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square. The event included activists wearing T-shirts with the campaign slogan and holding signs reading “PROUD ZIO,” a term that originated as a derogatory slur for Zionists. They also displayed Israeli and British flags.

The campaign was sparked by the Green Party’s conference, where a motion declaring “Zionism is racism” was passed by 1,022 votes to 813 on October 4, 2026. Mark Birbeck, founder of Our Fight, explained that the group’s response was to counter the growing anti-Israel sentiment and affirm the right of Jews to have a homeland. “Zionism is the right of Jews to have a homeland,” Birbeck said, emphasizing that the campaign aims to challenge the narrative that equates Zionism with racism.

Kurpa Patel, an Our Fight activist, stated that the group’s presence was a direct response to the Green Party’s motion. “We’re here to stand as proud Zionists,” Patel said, adding that the campaign seeks to highlight the distinction between supporting Israel and being a Zionist. The activists argue that the term “Zionism” is often conflated with anti-Israel sentiment, which they claim is a distortion of the movement’s core principles.

Birbeck noted that the campaign is part of a broader initiative called the “mensch campaign,” which encourages non-Jewish allies in the UK to show public solidarity with the Jewish community amid rising antisemitism. The group plans to host a conference on January 17, 2027, titled “Be a #MENSCH,” bringing together activists, academics, and writers to discuss the crisis of antisemitism and related societal issues.

During the Green Party conference, Birbeck faced criticism from organizers who deemed his presence and messaging inappropriate. A video shared by Our Fight shows conference organizers approaching him, leading to his removal by security staff. The incident highlights the tensions surrounding the debate over Zionism and antisemitism in British political discourse.

The campaign reflects a growing effort among activists to defend the Jewish community and affirm the legitimacy of Zionism in the face of rising hostility. By standing in solidarity with Israel, the group seeks to counter what they describe as a climate of anti-Israel hysteria and promote a message of unity and justice. Their actions underscore the complex interplay between political movements, religious identity, and the pursuit of peace.

Source: Read the original report