Green Party votes to define Zionism as racism

Members of the Green Party voted to declare the party anti-Zionist and to treat Zionism as a form of racism. The motion passed with one thousand twenty-two votes in favour and eight hundred thirteen against.

Israel bans Green Party leader Zack Polanski

Israel's foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar declared Green Party leader Zack Polanski barred from entering Israel following the party's vote. Israel accused the Greens of legitimising the destruction of the State of Israel with antisemitic text.

Eleven Labour MPs also banned from Israel

Israel barred eleven Labour MPs from entering the country: Jeremy Corbyn, Zarah Sultana, Naz Shah, Diane Abbott, Hannah Spencer, Carla Denyer, Sian Berry, Ellie Chowns, John McDonnell, Richard Burgon and Adrian Ramsay.

Ban follows UK sanctions on settlements

The bans came after the UK imposed sanctions on goods produced in illegal West Bank settlements. Israel's foreign minister said the twelve individuals were involved in antisemitic and anti-Israel activity.

Ed Miliband accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing

UK foreign secretary Ed Miliband accused Israel of turning a blind eye to ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in the West Bank, who face increasing pressure to relocate from settlers.

Israel closes British Consulate in Jerusalem

Foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar announced further counter-measures including closure of the British Consulate in Jerusalem and removal of British representatives from the International Gaza Support Centre in Kiryat Gat.

Green Party vows not to be silenced

The Green Party responded by saying it will not be bullied into silence and called on the British government to follow with a full arms embargo and wide-ranging sanctions against Israel.

“We will not be bullied into silence by the Israeli government.”