Green Party votes on Zionism

Britain's Green Party voted on Sunday to class Zionism as a form of racism, drawing criticism from British Jews and the Israeli government.

How the party defines it

The Green Party said it regarded Zionism as an ethnonationalist political project and repeated its call for Britain to end all arms trade with Israel.

The vote and the leader

The motion passed by one thousand twenty-two to eight hundred thirteen despite opposition from senior figures. Party leader Zack Polanski did not vote.

Jewish groups condemn the vote

The Movement for Progressive Judaism said the Green Party had made antisemitism party policy and become a racist party, rejecting the claim that Jewish support for the motion mattered.

“The Green Party has made antisemitism party policy and become a racist party.”

Deputy leader defends the motion

Mothin Ali, deputy leader, told Sky News the heavy Palestinian death toll following Hamas's two thousand twenty-three attack on an Israeli music festival was key context for the vote.

Israel's response and warning

Israel rejected claims of ethnic cleansing and genocide, calling on other British political parties to condemn the Green Party vote and saying the Greens had adopted Hamas ideology.

“The Greens have adopted not only the green of Hamas, but also its ideology: the elimination of the State of Israel through armed struggle.”