Full Breakdown
Green Party’s “Zionism Is Racism” Motion Sparks Internal Strife Ahead of October 8 Conference
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Motion to Equate Zionism with Racism Set for Debate
The Green Party of England and Wales will debate a motion titled “Zionism is racism” at its annual conference on October 8. The motion calls for the party to declare itself anti-Zionist, support a single democratic Palestinian state, demand freedom for Palestinian political prisoners, oppose the Palestine Action ban, affirm Palestinians’ right to resistance, and label Zionism as a form of racism. If adopted, members who support Zionism could face disciplinary action for racism. The vote coincides with the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, where party leader Zack Polanski is contesting Keir Starmer’s former seat.
Background & Context
The proposal was first submitted to the party’s spring conference but was not put to members because of time constraints. Its resurfacing follows a broader Green platform that already describes Israeli conduct as apartheid and genocide, backs a full arms embargo, sanctions, and an end to occupation and illegal settlements. The motion’s revival has been driven by Greens for Palestine (GfP), an activist group unaffiliated with the party, which has urged supporters to join the Greens specifically to secure a vote on the motion.
Key Figures & Groups
- Zack Polanski – Leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection.
- Lubna Speitan – Leading member of GfP and co-author of the motion.
- David Miller – Former academic, member of the Anti-Zionist Movement (AZM).
- Ashok Kumar – Green Party member backing the motion.
- Joe Todd – Writer and Green Party member advocating a stronger anti-Zionist stance.
- Greens for Palestine (GfP) – Campaign group pushing the motion, linked to AZM.
- Anti-Zionist Movement (AZM) – Campaign that argues for dismantling “Zionist organisations” in the UK.
Timeline
- Spring 2026 – Motion submitted to the party’s spring conference but not debated.
- Recent months – GfP’s social-media campaign urges new members to join the Greens to influence the motion.
- October 8 – Conference debate on the “Zionism is racism” motion; same day as the Holborn and St Pancras byelection.
Data & Statistics
- Green Party membership stands at roughly 230,000, with about 200 volunteers active in the Camden garden rally.
- Miller claims there are 3,000–4,000 Zionist organisations operating in the UK.
On-the-Ground Reports
- In a Victorian garden in Camden, volunteers reported a “upbeat” atmosphere despite Polanski’s slipping approval ratings and the looming byelection.
- Participants noted that while some members accuse the motion of “media-driven toxicity,” others view it as a necessary challenge to the political establishment.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It doesn’t matter what the leadership thinks,” — Lubna Speitan, GfP
- “The whole point of this motion is for us to challenge and confront the establishment,” — Lubna Speitan, GfP
What’s Next
The motion will be voted on at the October 8 conference. Should it pass, the party could initiate disciplinary procedures against members who support Zionism, and the outcome may influence voter perceptions in the concurrent byelection. Both the Green leadership and affiliated activist groups have signaled that the debate will shape the party’s broader strategy on Palestine and its electoral positioning.