Britain’s Green Party voted to classify Zionism as a form of racism, facing strong criticism from British Jews and the Israeli government, which accused the party of endorsing terrorism. The party, which received 6% of the vote in the 2024 national elections, described Zionism as an “ethnonationalist political project” and urged the British Labour government to stop arms trading with Israel.
In its statement, the Green Party reaffirmed its support for self-determination and called for a single democratic state in historic Palestine. The definition of Zionism is contentious, with some Jewish groups viewing it as a basis for Jewish self-determination. The motion passed with a vote of 1,022 to 813, despite opposition from many senior party members, including leader Zack Polanski, who did not cast a vote. British Jewish organizations condemned the decision, labeling the party as antisemitic.
Deputy leader Mothin Ali highlighted the context of the heavy Palestinian casualties in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict as influential in the vote. He characterized Zionism as an ethnonationalist movement associated with ethnic cleansing and genocide. The Israeli government rejected these claims and called for condemnation from other British parties. Polanski and senior members pledged to continue addressing what they refer to as the crimes of the Netanyahu government while advocating for the rights of both Palestinians and Jewish people.
With information from Reuters
