Green Party Leader Responds to Backlash Over Zionism Motion Pass

Green Party leader Zack Polanski stated that he will not accept anyone being excluded from the party because of their religious or communal affiliations, the BBC reported. The statement follows a decision by Green Party members on Sunday to adopt a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism. Polanski did not participate in the vote, according to reports from the BBC and The Independent. [1][2][6]

The approved motion defines Zionism as an ideology supporting an ethnonationalist Jewish state and endorses a single democratic Palestinian state across all of historic Palestine, the BBC reported. Polanski stated that no one will be made unwelcome due to their background, faith, or place of worship. [1][2]

The vote has drawn significant criticism and political reaction. The BBC reported that more than a dozen Labour MPs reported the Green Party to the equality watchdog on Monday, while both Labour MPs and the European Greens have demanded clarity from the party regarding the policy. [1][2]

Zionism emerged in late nineteenth century Europe as a movement to establish and support a Jewish national homeland in Palestine, leading to the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. [8]