Green Party Splits After Motion Equating Zionism with Racism

The Green Party of the United Kingdom is facing a severe internal crisis after members passed a motion on October 4 defining Zionism as racism and advocating for a single Palestinian state. The decision, passed 1,022 to 813, has triggered defections, including the resignation of the party's deputy leader in Wales and the departure of a Suffolk councillor to the Conservatives.

Internal conflict has extended to local government in Norwich, where Green leader Lucy Galvin and her cabinet opposed the motion. This led Councillor Bliss Wylie to withdraw support from Galvin's administration and call for her resignation. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, speaking from Berlin, condemned the policy as completely wrong and urged the party to reverse it.

Simultaneously, party leader Zack Polanski lost the Holborn and St Pancras by-election to Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali by more than 3,000 votes. Polanski faced criticism from former leader Caroline Lucas and others for abstaining from the conference vote to campaign. Vivien Lichtenstein, chair of the Jewish Greens, called for Polanski's resignation, citing a dereliction of duty. Polanski has refused to step down, stating he is ready to continue until the leadership election next summer.

Former co-leaders Sian Berry and Adrian Ramsay also rejected the motion, with Berry apologizing for the damage caused to the party's reputation. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council stated the motion stokes anti-Jewish hatred.