The Greens are embroiled in a major internal row over a controversial move to equate Zionism with racism and get the party to endorse the destruction of Israel.
A motion which advocates for ‘a single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital’, is due to be put to a vote today.
It wants broad boycotts and sanctions similar to those put on Apartheid South Africa, arguing: ‘Zionism has created and seeks to maintain – and where possible – expand, an apartheid regime between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.’
Deputy co-leader Mothin Ali last night became the highest-ranking figure to say he would back it, linking Zionism to the Israeli assault on Gaza that left tens of thousands dead.
‘The ultimate form of racism is genocide, so anyone that believes in genociding people just so they can live free, that is racism,’ he told Sky News.
Leader Zack Polanski, who says the party is ‘absolutely united’ over Gaza, is set to abstain.
But three of his predecessors have spoken out against it – Caroline Lucas and ex-leader Adrian Ramsay warned it would be divisive before Carla Denyer last night said she would not support a plan that could ‘set us back’ in terms of helping Palestinians.
Deputy co-leader Mothin Ali last night became the highest-ranking figure to say he would back it, linking Zionism to the ‘genocide’ of Palestinians in Gaza
Leader Zack Polanski, who says the party is ‘absolutely united’ over Gaza, is set to abstain
Carla Denyer last night said she would not support a plan that could ‘set us back’ in terms of helping Palestinians
Writing on social media she also said it ‘risks alienating a significant proportion of Jewish people, including those who vehemently disagree with the Israeli government; support boycott, divestment and sanctions, and are strong advocates for Palestinian rights’.
‘In this party, I know we are united in tackling the ongoing and enduring injustices in Gaza and across Palestine.
‘I am proud of the Green Party’s culture of robust political debate coupled with a drive to build positive consensus, so I am confident that it would be possible for us to come to a position and write a motion that addresses the concerns that I and others have raised, while strengthening our support for Palestinian liberation. Sadly I do not think this motion is it.’
Self-described ‘eco-populist’ Mr Polanski is facing a major row over the motion vote at the Greens’ Brighton .
It defines Zionism as support for ‘an ethnonationalist Jewish State’ and says that it ‘will be treated as any other form of racism’ by the party.
Zionism is a movement for the creation of a country for Jewish people, which now supports the state of Israel.
The motion also supports the ‘establishment of a single democratic Palestinian State.
Ms Lucas, who became the Green Party’s first MP in 2010, said there was ‘a real risk that it will be divisive and could be seen as a sign that Jewish people aren’t welcome in the party’
In an interview with the BBC, Mr Polanski was asked whether the reference to a single Palestinian State was effectively calling for the eradication of Israel.
Mr Polanski replied: ‘Well, that’s why I’m calling for an amendment because what I want to see is equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians.
‘Now, I don’t believe that we, as a Green Party of England and Wales, or even the British Government, should be deciding what that future settlement looks like.’
Pressed again on whether Israel had a right to exist, the Green leader responded: ‘I believe that people have a right to exist. Both Israelis have a right to exist. Palestinians have a right to exist.
‘I think our job as political parties is to defend the right of people, not defend the rights of nations.’
Ms Lucas, who became the Green Party’s first MP in 2010, earlier said she would not be supporting the motion, and told the BBC there was ‘a real risk that it will be divisive and could be seen as a sign that Jewish people aren’t welcome in the party’.
Adrian Ramsay, a former Green co-leader, also voiced concerns about the motion to the Times newspaper.
Green peer Jenny Jones, who will chair the session this afternoon, told Sky News today they had to ‘keep it real’ by listening to members.
‘It’s going to be a long session. It could be quite, you know, argumentative,’ she said.
‘But that’s how we, that’s how we run things. And I think a lot of things come up from the grassroots that are more radical than the things that perhaps the leadership want.
‘But we have to listen.’
