Story perspectives

Green Party Defines Zionism as Racism, Backs Palestine State

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Israel bans Polanski

At its Brighton conference on 9 October 2026, Green Party of England and Wales passed a motion defining Zionism as racism and supporting a Palestinian state.
Senior party figures urged leader Zack Polanski to resign, Israel banned him as antisemitic, and the European Green Party warned of suspension.
Polanski said on BBC Breakfast he would remain leader despite the vote.
Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali won the leadership contest with 45 % of the vote.

Left

Extremist Capture Fears

At its Brighton conference on 9 October 2026, the Green Party of England and Wales adopted a motion labeling Zionism racism and endorsing a Palestinian state.
Coverage highlighted that the vote exposed weaknesses in the Greens’ grassroots decision-making and raised alarms about possible extremist capture of the party.
The motion passed 1,022 votes to 813, representing roughly 0.4 % of party membership.
Ellie Chowns warned the Greens must avoid capture by extremists and racists.

History

Historical Context

In 1975 the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 3379, declaring Zionism a form of racism with 72 votes in favour, 35 against and 32 abstentions. The resolution was revoked by Resolution 46/86 on 16 December 1991 after a 111-25-13 vote, reflecting shifting dynamics. The 2026 Green Party of England and Wales motion echoing the 1975 language shows how that historic controversy still fuels party disputes.

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Israel bans Polanski

At its Brighton conference on 9 October 2026, Green Party of England and Wales passed a motion defining Zionism as racism and supporting a Palestinian state.
Senior party figures urged leader Zack Polanski to resign, Israel banned him as antisemitic, and the European Green Party warned of suspension.
Polanski said on BBC Breakfast he would remain leader despite the vote.
Labour’s Sagal Abdi-Wali won the leadership contest with 45 % of the vote.

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