Green Party in turmoil over 'Zionism is racism' vote

Summarised from 2 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 9 Oct, 05:00 · Archive

The Green Party has adopted a motion declaring 'Zionism is racism', sparking international condemnation and criticism of leader Zack Polanski for not voting on it.

Green Party members voted 1,022 to 813 to adopt a motion declaring 'Zionism is racism' at their conference in Brighton last Sunday. The motion has drawn swift international condemnation, with the European Green Party and Jewish groups describing it as racist and antisemitic. It has also raised questions about whether the Greens could participate in a Labour-led coalition in the event of a hung parliament.

Zack Polanski, the party leader, did not vote on the motion. Instead, he was campaigning for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, where he is standing as a candidate in the seat formerly held by Keir Starmer. Four of the party's five MPs publicly opposed the proposal, and the party has said it will not be 'bullied' by Israel's decision to ban Polanski, who is Jewish, from entering the country.

Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas condemned Polanski's absence, saying on the BBC's Newsnight: 'He should have been there and he should have voted.' She also criticised the motion itself as 'flawed from top to bottom' and 'divisive', noting that Zionism has multiple definitions. When asked if Polanski should resign as leader, Lucas declined to say directly, but called for him to demonstrate leadership in response to the controversy.

How it is being reported

• Chris Mason: Polanski faces greatest crisis of his leadership so farThe Green leader faces pressure over his response to a party motion declaring Zionism a form of racism, as well as his by-election loss.BBC Politics · 9 Oct, 05:54
• Zack Polanski on by-election lossGreen Party leader says "of course I can carry on" after losing to Labour Party in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.BBC Politics · 9 Oct, 05:19
• Questions remain for Green Party leader Zack PolanskiBBC Political editor Chris Mason discusses the by-election outcome and what it means for the Greens Party.BBC Politics · 9 Oct, 04:48
• Former Green Party Leader Slams Zack Polanski For Dodging 'Zionism Is Racism' VoteFormer Green Party leader Caroline Lucas. A former leader of the Greens has condemned Zack Polanski for dodging a vote which saw the party’s members declare “Zionism is racism”. Caroline Lucas refused to say whether or not he should stand down as party leader. Activists at the Green conference in Brighton last Sunday voted 1,022 to 813 in favour of the controversial motion, which saw the party being branded “racist” . But rather than take part in the vote, or the debate which preceded it, Polanski instead chose to campaign in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. Appearing on the BBC’s…HuffPost UK · 9 Oct, 01:57
• Crunch Time For Zack Polanski As Greens Descend Into ChaosGreen Party leader Zack Polanski addresses delegates on the main stage at the Brighton Centre during the party's annual conference. Barely a year after taking charge, Zack Polanski faces his biggest challenge as Green Party leader. The party is currently dealing with the international fallout after its members voted in favour of adopting a divisive motion declaring “Zionism is racism” at their conference in Brighton last Sunday. Though four of the party’s five MPs publicly opposed the proposal, and even Polanski himself didn’t vote for it, the democratic nature of the Greens means it is now…HuffPost UK · 8 Oct, 18:45

In this story: Zack Polanski · Green Party · Caroline Lucas · Brighton · Holborn and St Pancras · Israel

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