Equality watchdog seeks details from Greens over ‘Zionism is racism’ motion

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has asked the Green Party of England and Wales for more information about a motion describing Zionism as racism, saying it will assess the motion’s practical effects and potential impact.

The motion, passed by party members at a conference earlier this month, defines Zionism as support for “an ethnonationalist Jewish state in historic Palestine to the exclusion and/or domination of the non-Jewish population”. The EHRC said it had received complaints alleging breaches of the Equality Act 2010, including concerns that Jewish people could face discrimination because of their beliefs.

“Compliance with the Equality Act is likely to hinge on the practical effects of the motion,” an EHRC spokesperson said. The commission said it would take action where appropriate after reviewing the party’s response.

The Greens said they would not discriminate against or exclude people for holding Zionist views. A party spokesperson said the motion set out a political position and had “no impact on membership conditions or internal disciplinary processes”. The party said its antisemitism guidance remained unchanged and that it was committed to ensuring Jewish members felt welcome and respected.

The motion has drawn criticism from Jewish groups, four of the party’s five MPs and two former Green leaders. Some Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs and Jewish campaigners have also raised concerns with the regulator. In a separate letter, MPs questioned whether Jewish members could participate freely in the party, citing the rejection of amendments intended to protect members who attend Zionist synagogues.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism has separately alleged that the party breached the Equality Act. It said the motion effectively meant Israel should not exist and cast support for a Jewish homeland as racist.

Green leader Zack Polanski has called the motion “imperfect” and said he wanted it amended. Although it is now party policy, it will not necessarily appear in the party’s manifesto at the next general election. Labour has said it will end power-sharing agreements with the Greens on local councils unless its councillors disown the motion. [1]