Britain's Green Party votes to class Zionism as a form of racism

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   UK Green Party Classes Zionism as Racism, Drawing Fierce Backlash

   Britain's Green Party has voted to formally classify Zionism as a form of racism, characterising it as an ethnonationalist political project. The decision triggered immediate backlash from Jewish groups, Israeli officials, and European counterparts. The Israeli government condemned the move, stating it now views the UK party as a body that legitimises terrorism. Meanwhile, the policy has caused internal turmoil, with Jewish representatives within the party considering resignation amid widespread criticism and international ostracism.

   Why it matters

   The Green Party secured 6% of the vote in the 2024 national election and holds about 10% support in recent opinion polls. Alongside the Zionism vote, the party reiterated demands for Britain's Labour government to halt all arms trade with Israel. The policy has isolated the UK Greens from broader European green organisations and sparked intense domestic condemnation.

   What is confirmed

   • Britain's Green Party voted to class Zionism as a form of racism.
   • The Israeli government stated it now views the party as a body that gives legitimacy to terrorism.
   • The Greens described Zionism as an ethnonationalist political project and called on Britain's Labour government to end all arms trade with Israel.
   • The European Green Party condemned the UK Greens over the policy.
   • Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer stated that Zionism is racist.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Israel has banned Zack Polanski following the Green Party's vote.

   What to watch next

   • Potential resignations of high-ranking Jewish members from the Green Party
   • Further official statements from European and international green political bodies
   • Response from Britain's Labour government regarding party demands to end arms trade with Israel
   Sources used for this update (24)

   1. The Economist — Britain’s Greens have voted, shamefully, to say Zionism is racism
   2. Reuters — Britain's Green Party votes to class Zionism as a form of racism
   3. ft.com — Jewish groups attack Greens after anti-Zionism motion passes
   4. The Guardian — Green party votes to adopt policy that equates Zionism with racism
   5. Al Jazeera — Israel lashes out as UK’s Green Party formally defines Zionism as ‘racism’
   6. BBC — Green Party members back 'Zionism is racism' motion
   7. The Times — Israel bans Zack Polanski after Green Party’s ‘Zionism is racism’ vote
   8. The Guardian — What is Zionism and why do some critics describe it as racist?
   9. The Guardian — Head of Jewish Greens says she may leave party over ‘Zionism is racism’ vote
   10. BBC — Jewish Greens chair says she could leave party over 'Zionism is racism' motion
   11. Al Jazeera — Before UK Greens, who else has equated Zionism with racism?
   12. haaretz.com — 'I'm an anti-Zionist Jew and I'm very upset' • Jews in U.K. Greens weigh costs of 'Zionism is Racism' motion
   confidence 95%