# Green motion on Zionism kills Labour coalition hopes

> The Greens' decision to declare Zionism a form of racism makes a potential coalition with Labour politically impossible, even if a hung parliament forces the issue.
- Title: Green motion on Zionism kills Labour coalition hopes
- Summary: The Greens' decision to declare Zionism a form of racism makes a potential coalition with Labour politically impossible, even if a hung parliament forces the…
- Keywords: green party, labour, andy burnham, zack polanski, zionism, antisemitism, coalition, hung parliament, uk politics, politics, news, Green
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/zack-polanski-green-zionism-racism-bunrham-labour-b3061440.html
- Published: 2026-10-05T13:51:39+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: green party, labour, andy burnham, zack polanski, zionism, antisemitism, coalition, hung parliament, uk politics, politics, news
## Hung parliament looms for Labour
A major poll suggests Britain is heading for a hung parliament, meaning Labour under Andy Burnham may need coalition partners like the Greens and Lib Dems to form the next government.
## Greens declare Zionism is racism
At their annual conference this weekend, Green Party members adopted a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism, triggering immediate backlash from Jewish leaders and organisations.
## Jewish leaders condemn the motion
Rabbi Charley Baginsky called the motion a racist policy. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and Jewish Leadership Council said it brands British Jews as racist and stokes anti-Jewish hatred.

> Branding most British Jews and Jewish institutions 'racist' stokes anti-Jewish hatred after a year in which British Jews have been murdered attending their synagogue, stabbed in the streets, and seen their community buildings firebombed.
## Labour's antisemitism wounds still raw
Andy Burnham spent years rebuilding Labour's reputation after an Equality and Human Rights Commission finding that the party culture did not do enough to prevent antisemitism. He will not risk reigniting that controversy.
## Labour MPs reject coalition option
One Labour MP told The Independent after the Green vote that no one should contemplate a coalition unless the Greens urgently revise their position on Zionism.

> No one should be contemplating it [a coalition] unless the Greens urgently revise their position.
## Polanski's by-election test looms
Green leader Zack Polanski is standing in Thursday's by-election in Keir Starmer's old seat of Holborn and St Pancras. A strong result could push Burnham to call an election sooner, forcing the coalition question.
## Key takeaway

The Green Party's motion declaring Zionism a form of racism has destroyed any prospect of a coalition with Labour, which spent years fighting antisemitism allegations.