Joint Tory-Labour motion that ‘Zionism is not racism’ goes to vote at Westminster council

Conservative and Labour councillors have proposed a joint motion for Westminster City Council declaring that “Zionism is not racism”. It is due to be voted on by the full council and responds to a Green Party motion adopted last month that described Zionism as a form of racism, placing the council in the midst of a wider political dispute over how Zionism and antisemitism are defined.

The motion cites the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, including its example that describing Israel’s existence as a racist endeavour can be antisemitic, and commits the council to reviewing relevant policies and training within six months. An independent political consultant has warned that adopting it could breach the Equality Act 2010 by harming Palestinian, British-Palestinian, Arab and Muslim residents’ interests and limiting political debate. The Conservatives hold a majority on the council, which had not responded to a request for comment by publication.