UK Green Party Adopts "Zionism is Racism" Motion, Israel Condemns Vote

The Green Party adopted the "Zionism is Racism" motion at its party conference in Brighton, UK, on Sunday, passing it by 1,022 votes to 813.

The Israeli foreign ministry condemned the vote, calling the resolution shocking and stating it legitimises armed struggle, calls for a Palestinian state 'from the river to the sea' - meaning the destruction of the State of Israel - and labels as 'racist' the aspiration of the Jewish people for self-determination. The ministry added that the resolution will stand as a stain on the history of the United Kingdom.

The motion recognizes Zionism as Israel's foundational ideology that creates and maintains an apartheid regime between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. It also affirms the right to self-determination and liberation of the Palestinian people and supports the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Amendment III, which would have protected Jewish people from expulsion if they belong to synagogues that define themselves as Zionist, failed to pass with 684 votes in support and 1,026 against. Former Green deputy leader Shahrar Ali called it a very sad day for the Green Party, stating it made them the first openly anti-Semitic party in the UK.

Current Green Party leader Zack Polanski did not vote on the motion, as he was campaigning in north London for a by-election. Jewish Greens, a group within the party, remain split on the motion, with a survey indicating an almost exact split, leading them not to take an official position.