Full Breakdown
Green Party Declared Racist by UK Jewish Body Over Zionism-as-Racism Motion
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event
The Board of Deputies of British Jews passed a motion at its October plenary meeting declaring the Green Party of England and Wales a racist party. The resolution responded to the party’s conference-adopted policy that brands Zionism as racism. The Board voted 118-1 to adopt the motion and said it will treat the Greens as it does other racist parties.
02
Background & Context
The motion made the Greens the first mainstream European party to declare itself openly anti-Zionist. Jewish groups and several Green MPs criticised the policy as antisemitic, prompting the Board’s declaration.
03
Data & Statistics
- Board motion vote: 118 in favour, 1 against.
- Motion adoption date: 4 October 2024.
- Three Birmingham Labour MPs – Al Carns, Jess Phillips and Preet Gill – co-authored a letter demanding Greens disown the motion; the letter was also signed by Labour peers Baroness Morris of Yardley, Lord Rooker, Lord McCabe and Lord Hunt of Kings Heath.
- Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, left the conference early and told the BBC he would not overturn the motion, which will remain party policy until 2028.
04
Official Statements & Responses
Board president Phil Rosenberg said the motion gives prejudice against Jews a political licence and that no party may label a core element of Jewish identity as racist.
A Green Party spokesperson asserted the party does not discriminate against those who hold Zionist views, will continue to speak out against genocide in Gaza, and will keep advocating for stronger sanctions on the Israeli government.
Liberal Democrat council leader Roger Harmer told the BBC he does not personally agree with the Greens’ motion but will maintain the coalition with the Greens as long as they honour the partnership agreement to combat antisemitism.
Birmingham Greens issued a statement pledging representation of all faiths, opposition to genocide, ethnic cleansing, apartheid and illegal occupation, and reaffirmed commitment to the Fairer Birmingham Partnership Agreement.
05
Criticism & Opposition
Labour MPs Al Carns, Jess Phillips and Preet Gill wrote to council leader Roger Harmer demanding that Green cabinet members publicly disown the motion, warning that continued power-sharing would be untenable. Their letter, also signed by four Labour peers, called the motion “an abhorrent step.”
Labour leader Andy Burnham issued an ultimatum that Labour cannot support a partnership with a party holding the position, labeling the motion antisemitic.
06
Timeline
- 4 October 2024 – Green Party conference adopts Zionism-is-racism motion.
- 14 October 2024 – Board of Deputies updates statement on Jewish residents’ safety.
- 30 November 2024 (scheduled) – Pro-Palestinian demonstration passes in front of an Israel-support rally in London.
07
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Green Party’s policy brands much of our community, including our synagogues and communal organizations, with that slur. It gives prejudice against Jews a political license.” — Phil Rosenberg, board president
- “Worcester Green Party councillors need to make clear that they reject this position [the motion], and call on their national leadership to reconsider the policy.” — Lynn Denham
08
What’s Next
Labour has warned that any Green councillors who do not publicly disown the motion may lose coalition support in Birmingham and Worcester. The policy remains in force until 2028 unless the national leadership decides otherwise.