UK’s Green Party Adopts Policy Declaring ‘Zionism is Racism’

The Green Party in the United Kingdom has formally adopted a policy declaring “Zionism is racism,” following a vote at its annual conference in Brighton. The resolution, which passed by a margin of 1,022 to 813 votes, defines Zionism as an ethnonationalist political project that privileges one ethnic group through the subjugation of others. This stance aligns with the party’s broader commitment to Palestinian liberation and the rejection of what it describes as the illegal occupation of Palestinian and Syrian land.

The motion calls for Zionism to be treated as any other form of racism and advocates for the replacement of Israel with a single Palestinian state. This policy has drawn criticism from Israel’s foreign ministry, which has banned the party’s leader, Zack Polanski, from entering the country, labeling the resolution a “clear antisemitic text” that exceeds the boundaries of legitimate political discourse.

The Green Party’s decision to adopt this policy marks a significant shift, as it follows a 2024 resolution in which the party became the first in England and Wales to recognize the Israeli government as an “apartheid” state. The party cited international treaties, including the International Convention on Apartheid of 1973 and the Rome Statute of 1998, to support its position. The motion also reasserts the party’s commitment to Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) and a full arms embargo against Israel.

While the policy has garnered support within the party, it has sparked division among Jewish members. Some Jewish Greens have expressed concern that their affiliation with Jewish organizations that support Zionism could lead to disciplinary action. The motion explicitly states that anti-Zionism should not be equated with antisemitism, emphasizing that the policy targets the political ideology of Zionism rather than the religious or ethnic identity of individuals.

The motion was primarily pushed by a group called Greens for Palestine, which encouraged non-party members to join the Green Party to ensure the policy was debated and adopted. The group argues that Zionism is inherently racist due to its ethnonationalist framework, which prioritizes one ethnic group at the expense of others. This perspective reflects a broader debate within political and religious circles about the nature of Zionism and its implications for justice and peace.

The Green Party’s stance on Zionism and racism underscores a growing tension between different interpretations of justice and human rights. As the party continues to advocate for Palestinian liberation and oppose what it sees as systemic oppression, its policies may further polarize political and religious discourse. The call to treat Zionism as racism challenges traditional understandings of political ideology and raises complex questions about the intersection of identity, power, and morality.

In this context, the biblical principle found in Micah 6:8—“He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”—reminds us that the pursuit of justice must be guided by compassion and humility. As political and religious leaders navigate these debates, the call to seek peace and righteousness remains a central moral imperative.

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