The Green Party of England and Wales voted to define Zionism as racism. This triggered an internal fracture after party leader Zack Polanski failed to secure compromise amendments on the conference floor. The resolution passed by a 56% to 44% margin among voting delegates in Brighton. It calls for a single Palestinian state with equal civil rights for all residents while omitting any framework for the continued existence of the State of Israel.
The policy shift marks a departure from the party’s historic stance on Middle East sovereignty, which previously maintained flexibility through a negotiated two-state framework or a democratic one-state solution. Advanced by the activist group Greens for Palestine, the measure describes Zionism as an ideology seeking an ethnonationalist state to the exclusion or domination of non-Jewish populations.
Inside the Leadership Split: Zack Polanski and Senior Figures Respond
While the measure cleared the plenary floor, party leader Zack Polanski opted not to vote on the final unamended resolution. Instead, Polanski pushed targeted amendments designed to soften the proposal’s language. His initiatives sought to establish formal safeguards for Jewish party members affiliated with organizations that identify as Zionist, alongside adjustments concerning the status of Jerusalem as a shared capital.
Conference delegates rejected both measures, exposing a wide rift between the grassroots conference floor and the party’s prominent lawmakers. Co-deputy leader Rachel Millward opposed the measure, aligning with Dr. Ellie Chowns, the party’s leader in the British Parliament, who urged members to cast opposing ballots. Former co-leaders Adrian Ramsay, Carla Denyer, and Siân Berry also lined up in firm opposition.
In contrast, co-deputy leader Mothin Ali publicly endorsed the measure during broadcast appearances, underscoring the divisions pulling at the executive core of the Green Party.
“The Green Party is an anti-racist party and has consistently opposed the illegal occupation of both Palestinian and Syrian land, called for an end to arms sales to the Israeli government and spoken out fearlessly about the devastating situation in Gaza and the West Bank.”
Platform Revisions and the Turnout Paradox
Despite the international attention generated by the vote, the final tally revealed a gap between active conference participation and total party membership rolls. Out of an overall membership exceeding 200,000 individuals, exactly 1,835 delegates cast ballots on the motion. This participation dynamic allowed an organized voting bloc to overturn longstanding platform neutrality.
The following breakdown outlines the key structural changes enacted by the conference delegates:
- Ideological Definition: Formally defines Zionism as ethnonationalist racism resulting in exclusion or domination.
- Statehood Stance: Endorses a single democratic Palestinian state with equal civil rights for all citizens.
- Two-State Solution: Removes prior allowances for a dual-state coexistence framework.
- Member Protections: Rejected proposed exemptions for members linked to Zionist organizations.
- Voting Delegate Tally: 56% in favor to 44% against across 1,835 recorded ballots.
International Backlash and Diplomatic Friction
The conference decision triggered immediate denunciations beyond Britain’s borders. Diplomatic authorities rebuked the vote, warning that defining Jewish national self-determination as inherently racist violates established international norms.
In a strongly worded statement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry attacked the resolution, asserting that the party had abandoned responsible politics and demanding that other British political organizations repudiate the measure. The external reaction places pressure on the party’s parliamentary wing, which must balance the democratic mandates of its activist base against the realities of national electoral politics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Green Party conference vote to approve?
Delegates voted by a 56% to 44% margin to adopt a policy that formally defines Zionism as racism and calls for a single Palestinian state with equal rights for all residents.
How did Green Party leader Zack Polanski respond?
Zack Polanski did not vote on the final unamended resolution. Instead, he attempted to pass compromise amendments protecting Jewish members linked to Zionist organizations and adjusting the status of Jerusalem, but delegates rejected those changes.
Which senior Green figures opposed the motion?
Co-deputy leader Rachel Millward, parliamentary leader Dr. Ellie Chowns, and former co-leaders Adrian Ramsay, Carla Denyer, and Siân Berry all opposed the resolution.
How many members participated in the vote?
Exactly 1,835 delegates cast ballots out of a total party membership exceeding 200,000 individuals.
What was the international reaction to the decision?
Israel’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the resolution, arguing that it legitimizes the destruction of Israel and labels Jewish self-determination as racist, prompting urgent calls for other British political groups to repudiate it.
