Polanski Keeps Greens' 1,022-813 Zionism Motion Until 2028 as Backlash Deepens
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 18
Polanski Keeps Greens' 1,022-813 Zionism Motion Until 2028 as Backlash Deepens
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Oct 18
Summary
Zack Polanski said the Green Party's motion declaring Zionism a form of racism will remain party policy until 2028, though he wants later amendments on a one-state position and protections for Jewish members.
1,022 delegates backed the motion against 813 at the party conference, and Polanski said conference decisions bind policy for two years under current rules, ruling out an immediate reversal.
Polanski also said the practical application of Zionism is racist, declined to apologise and argued no state has a right to exist under international law, extending a row that has already threatened his leadership.
Adrian Ramsay said it was untenable to keep the policy for two years and urged a full-member ballot, while Green MPs have called for a review of member-led procedures because only a small share of 230,000 members voted.
The dispute has drawn criticism from Jewish groups, the government and European Greens; Labour has threatened to end local power-sharing deals, and the equality watchdog has sought more information.