Greens investigate party member behind Zionism motion

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Greens Probe Author of Zionism Motion Over Al-Qaeda Link

   The Green Party of England and Wales is investigating activist Lubna Speitan after court documents revealed she was a close friend of Minh Quang Pham, a convicted terrorist jailed for 40 years following a Heathrow bomb plot investigation. Speitan authored the controversial party conference motion declaring Zionism is racism. The vote has triggered widespread criticism, including warnings from anti-Semitism campaigners and a threat by the head of Jewish Greens to quit the party. Green MP Sian Berry acknowledged the motion has inflicted genuine damage on the party reputation.

   Why it matters

   The internal turmoil follows a conference vote that has left the Green Party facing international ostracism and accusations of an anti-Jewish problem. Opponents of the motion were reportedly persuaded not to fight it during the proceedings. The fallout has drawn sharp rebukes from high-profile figures and community campaigners.

   What is confirmed

   • Lubna Speitan authored the Green Party conference motion stating Zionism is racism.
   • Court documents describe Speitan as a close friend of Minh Quang Pham, who was jailed for 40 years after a Heathrow bomb plot investigation.
   • Speitan offered to testify on behalf of Pham during legal proceedings.
   • Green MP Sian Berry stated that passing the motion has done genuine damage to the party's reputation.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Anti-Semitism campaigners have called on local leaders to stop working with the Green Party on councils.

   What to watch next

   • Results and disciplinary decisions from the Green Party internal investigation into Lubna Speitan.
   • Potential resignation announcements from Jewish Greens leadership or additional party members.
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. The Guardian — Green party of England and Wales facing international ostracism over ‘Zionism is racism’ vote
   2. The Free Press — Tony Blair: Britain’s Fastest-Growing Party Has an Anti-Jewish Problem
   3. Jacobin — The European Green Party Attacks Solidarity With Palestine
   4. Jewish Telegraphic Agency — In Britain, ‘Jewish Greens’ chief mulls quitting party after ‘Zionism is Racism’ motion passes
   5. Al Jazeera — Yes, Zionism is racism
   6. Al Jazeera — The UK Greens are wrong – Zionism is not racism
   7. BBC — Greens investigate party member behind Zionism motion
   8. The Telegraph — Stop working with Greens on councils, anti-Semitism campaigners tell Burnham
   9. The Telegraph — The ex-Corbynistas who staged a Green Party putsch
   10. The Times — Green member happy to be called ‘antisemitic Hamas terrorist’
   11. The Times — Green member behind Zionism motion is friends with al-Qaeda terrorist
   12. Middle East Eye — Why Britain is being forced to revisit the Balfour Declaration
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