Britain’s Greens have voted, shamefully, to say Zionism is racism
The Green Party of England and Wales voted on Sunday to define Zionism as racism, making it the first mainstream anti-Zionist party in Europe. Delegates passed the motion with 1,022 votes in favor and 813 against, meaning Zionism will be treated as any other form of racism. The party now supports a single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine. In response, Israel has banned Green Party leader Zack Polanski from entering the country, while the ruling Labour Party and Jewish groups have condemned the decision.
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- ✓ The Green Party of England and Wales voted to define Zionism as racism.
- ✓ The motion passed with 1,022 votes in favor and 813 against.
- ✓ Israel has barred Green Party leader Zack Polanski from the country.
- ✓ The party supports the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine.
What changed
The Green Party of England and Wales formally adopted a policy equating Zionism with racism and Israel subsequently barred party leader Zack Polanski from entry.
Live updates
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UK Green Party adopts policy equating Zionism with racism
The Green Party of England and Wales voted on Sunday to define Zionism as racism, making it the first mainstream anti-Zionist party in Europe. Delegates passed the motion with 1,022 votes in favor and 813 against, meaning Zionism will be treated as any other form of racism. The party now supports a single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine. In response, Israel has banned Green Party leader Zack Polanski from entering the country, while the ruling Labour Party and Jewish groups have condemned the decision.
Why it matters
The Green Party holds five seats in the 650-seat British parliament and recently saw gains in local and special elections. This policy shift creates a rift within the party, as at least three of its five MPs opposed the motion. The move has also drawn criticism from Conservative and Reform politicians.
What is confirmed
- The Green Party of England and Wales voted to define Zionism as racism.
- The motion passed with 1,022 votes in favor and 813 against.
- Israel has barred Green Party leader Zack Polanski from the country.
- The party supports the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine.
- Jewish groups and the ruling Labour Party have condemned the new policy.
- The Green Party has five MPs in Britain's 650-seat parliament.
Still unconfirmed
- The Green Party is Europe's first mainstream anti-Zionist party.
- Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer backed key elements of the motion.
What to watch next
- Further disciplinary or political reactions from the three Green MPs who opposed the vote
- Official responses from the UK government regarding the party's new policy
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (15)
- en.wikipedia.org — United Kingdom - Wikipedia
- en.wikipedia.org — Great Britain - Wikipedia
- The Economist — Britain’s Greens have voted, shamefully, to say Zionism is racism
- Reuters — Britain's Green Party votes to class Zionism as a form of racism
- The Jerusalem Post — UK's Greens adopt ‘Zionism is racism’ motion, become Europe’s first mainstream anti-Zionist party
- ft.com — Jewish groups attack Greens after anti-Zionism motion passes
- The Guardian — Green party votes to adopt policy that equates Zionism with racism
- BBC — Green Party members back 'Zionism is racism' motion
- The Times — Israel bans Zack Polanski after Green Party’s ‘Zionism is racism’ vote
- www.euronews.com — Israel bars UK Green leader after party votes to define Zionism as racism
- www.standard.co.uk — Zack Polanski barred from Israel after ‘Zionism is racism’ made party policy | The Standard
- uk.news.yahoo.com — Zack Polanski barred from Israel after ‘Zionism is racism’ made party policy - Yahoo News UK
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