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‘Zionism is racism’ motion passed by Green party at annual conference
The motion passed 1,022-813 and makes the Greens the first major UK party to adopt an explicitly anti-Zionist policy.
On Sunday, Green Party members will vote on an unprecedented motion to officially declare Zionism a form of racism, potentially becoming the first major British political party to adopt this policy.
British-Palestinian activist Lubna Speitan submitted the motion, which attracted 745 co-proposers and calls for establishing a single democratic Palestinian state, claiming Zionism is a racist ideology that dehumanizes Palestinians.
Fierce protests erupted outside the Brighton conference venue on Saturday, with pro-Israel demonstrators chanting "Terrorist supporters off our streets" while pro-Palestine activists held banners reading "Jews against Zionism."
Former Green leader Caroline Lucas denounced the motion on Friday, warning it risked being "divisive," while former co-leader Adrian Ramsay vowed to oppose it, arguing Jewish environmentalists must remain welcome.
Party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, has sought amendments to safeguard Jewish members from disciplinary action based on synagogue affiliations, though he objects to the party prescribing a single-state outcome.