Green motion on Zionism widens divisions as deputy backs proposal
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The Green Party of England and Wales faced internal divisions over a motion that defines Zionism as racism and calls for a single Palestinian state across historic Palestine. Deputy co-leader Mothin Ali said he would support it, while leader Zack Polanski planned to abstain and seek an amendment; former leaders warned the proposal could alienate Jewish members and weaken support for Palestinians.
The motion calls for boycotts and sanctions against Israel, comparing them with measures imposed on apartheid-era South Africa, and says Zionism sustains an apartheid regime. Ali linked Zionism to the Israeli assault on Gaza, while Polanski said Israelis and Palestinians both have a right to exist and that political parties should defend people’s rights rather than decide the shape of a future settlement. Former leader Carla Denyer said she could not support the motion as written, arguing it risked alienating Jewish people, including those who support Palestinian rights.
- Mothin Ali backed a motion defining Zionism as racism.
- Zack Polanski planned to abstain and seek an amendment.
- Former leaders warned the proposal could divide the party.
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Zionism is a political movement historically associated with establishing and supporting a Jewish state in the Middle East. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict involves competing claims to the same territory, with Palestinians seeking their own independent state in that region.
The Green Party is debating a motion that would define Zionism as racism and call for a single Palestinian state across historic Palestine. The motion also calls for boycotts and sanctions against Israel, comparing them to measures used against apartheid-era South Africa.
The proposal has revealed divisions within the party over how best to support Palestinian rights and promote peace. Different members hold different views on whether such positions and strong language serve these goals, reflecting broader questions about how political parties should engage with contested international issues.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The motion reflects a structural analysis that Zionism as practised has created a system denying Palestinians equal rights and self-determination, justifying strong advocacy including BDS parallels to apartheid-era measures that contributed to change. Supporting Palestinians effectively requires naming these systems clearly and prioritising their right to self-determination, particularly given the ongoing assault on Gaza.
The case against
Political parties best serve justice by advocating universal principles—equal rights for all people—rather than prescribing specific state structures, and risk alienating Jewish supporters and moderate allies whose backing strengthens Palestinian advocacy. Clear language about individual rights and dignity proves more durable and persuasive than framing that may be read as dismissive of Jewish identity, potentially undermining the very Palestinian cause the motion aims to advance.
Full account
The Green Party has passed a controversial motion defining Zionism as a form of racism at its conference in Brighton. The proposal, which secured 1022 votes in favour against 813 opposing votes on Sunday, establishes the party's anti-Zionist stance whilst attempting to distinguish this position from antisemitism.
The motion characterises Zionism as an "ethnonationalist political project" and calls for the establishment of a single democratic state throughout historic Palestine, with Jerusalem designated as its capital. The resolution also commits the party to supporting Palestinian liberation, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, and a comprehensive arms embargo against Israel. Party leadership had presented mixed positions ahead of the ballot, with deputy co-leader Mothin Ali declaring his support, whilst leader Zack Polanski declined to participate in voting.
The motion provoked significant internal discord, with senior figures expressing reservations about its implications. Four of the party's five Members of Parliament publicly opposed the measure, including former party leaders Adrian Ramsay and Carla Denyer, as well as MPs Ellie Chowns and Sian Berry. Denyer specifically raised concerns that the motion might divert the party from practical advocacy for Palestinian causes by generating protracted internal debates over ideological terminology.
Critics highlighted concerns about potential alienation of Jewish party members. Conference delegates rejected an amendment that would have shielded party members from censure based on affiliation with Jewish organisations or synagogues identifying as Zionist. Proponents maintained that defining Zionism as racism was essential to the party's position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the caveat regarding antisemitism intended to separate political opposition to Israeli state ideology from hostility towards Jewish people.
Where outlets differ
Source 1 discusses the vote as imminent; Source 2 reports the completed vote with specific figures (1022-813)
Source 1 prominently features deputy co-leader Mothin Ali's backing; Source 2 does not mention his position
Source 1 references three predecessors opposing; Source 2 specifies four of five sitting MPs opposed
Source 2 reports the rejected amendment protecting Zionist synagogue affiliations; Source 1 omits this detail
Source 1 quotes Carla Denyer extensively; Source 2 paraphrases her concerns more briefly
Source 2 notes Polanski was campaigning for a by-election seat; Source 1 does not provide this context
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Green split on ‘Zionism is racism’ plan deepens as Polanski’s deputy vows to vote for it – after ex-leaders warn it will alienate Jews”.