It has been publicly opposed by four of the party\u2019s five MPs, although Zack Polanski<\/a>, the leader of the Greens in England and Wales, has said he does believe Zionism is a racist idea.<\/p>\n The motion, which is now formal policy, calls for a single Palestinian state in place of Israel, \u201cwith equal rights for all\u201d.<\/p>\n Adrian Ramsay, one of the MPs and a former party co-leader, said after the vote that he was \u201cdeeply saddened\u201d by the decision, and that the idea of endorsing a single Palestinian state did not match Green commitments to self-determination.<\/p>\n In earlier voting, an amendment ensuring other parts of Green policy were updated to take account of the motion was backed. Three other amendments, including one that said the motion should not be used to \u201cpressure, proscribe or discipline members based on affiliation with Jewish community institutions\u201d, were voted down.<\/p>\n The motion argues that Zionism is necessarily racist as it \u201cprivileges one ethnic group on the basis of the subjugation of others\u201d. It adds: \u201cThis motion is aimed at the political ideology and practice of Zionism, as defined, and not at the religious or ethnic background of those who may identify as Zionists. Not all Jews are Zionists and not all Zionists are Jews \u2026<\/p>\n \u201cZionism, as defined above, will be treated as any other form of racism, and this motion will be implemented by the anti-racism policy working group as appropriate and in accordance with its ordinary practice.\u201d<\/p>\n According to the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, around two-thirds of British Jews consider themselves Zionists.<\/p>\n While the proposers of the motion argue it will not be used to discipline Jewish members who support Zionism, it is understood that some members are consulting lawyers over whether the policy could be challenged.<\/p>\n Adam Wagner KC, the barrister who led a case that concluded<\/a> Jeremy Corbyn\u2019s Labour broke equalities laws over antisemitism, said that such a case would have a good chance of success.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there is a strong risk that the motion as passed contravenes the Equality Act 2010, which applies to political parties, as it will discriminate against and harass people who hold Zionist beliefs and Jewish people more generally,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cZionism, defined in the broad sense of supporting the establishment, development and protection of a Jewish nation state in its ancestral homeland, the land of Israel, is likely to be a protected belief under the Equality Act 2010.\u201d<\/p>\n He said there was a strong risk that the policy, especially if it resulted in disciplinary action, \u201cwill create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for both Zionists and Jewish people, therefore harassing them\u201d.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a>Free newsletter |Every weekday<\/p>\n Sign up to First Edition<\/p>\n Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what\u2019s happening and why it matters<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n During the lengthy debate, which was for members only, Ellie Chowns, one of the Green MPs, and Caroline Lucas, the former leader who was the Greens\u2019 first MP, argued against the plan.<\/p>\n The primary motion, titled \u201cZionism is racism\u201d, had been pushed by a group called Greens for Palestine, which encouraged<\/a> non-party members to sign up to the party to make sure the policy was debated and adopted. After it was passed, supporters of the idea came to the front of the hall to hug and cheer.<\/p>\n One member who was in the hall and opposed the motion said: \u201cThere are now two Green parties \u2013 the everyday members, and those who have joined for just one reason, Palestine<\/a>, and who have no interest in anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n A poll by the group Jewish Greens found its membership was split over whether to oppose the motion, while 81% said they did not identify as Zionist. The group is expected to comment publicly on the vote only after consulting members.<\/p>\n There is considerable disquiet among some senior Greens who feel that Polanski, who is Jewish, could have taken a stronger stance on the issue. The party leader, who missed the vote to campaign in Holborn and St Pancras<\/a>, where he is standing in a parliamentary byelection next week, has justified the motion\u2019s argument by pointing to the death toll in Gaza during Israel\u2019s assault on the territory.<\/p>\n Asked on Saturday if he believed Zionism was racist, Polanski told the BBC: \u201cWell, in the motion, it is defined as the displacement and genocide of the Palestinian people. I think that is clearly racism.\u201d<\/p>\n In a statement after the vote, the Green party<\/a> said it had been \u201ca serious and deeply felt debate\u201d among members.<\/p>\n It went on: \u201cThe Green party is an anti-racist party and has consistently opposed the illegal occupation of both Palestinian and Syrian land, called for an end to arms sales to the Israeli government and spoken out fearlessly about the devastating situation in Gaza<\/a> and the West Bank.<\/p>\n \u201cThose positions remain central to our approach. So, too, does our deeply held commitment to equality, justice and human rights for all, and opposition to racism in all its forms.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1791133337_501_1000.jpg\")
<\/p>\n