Zionism is Racism is passed by Green Party Conference

I was very proud yesterday to have played a small part in the acceptance at the Green Party conference of the Zionism is Racism motion. This resulted in the Israeli Government immediately banning Zack Polanski from Israel. If we have upset the genocidal Israeli Government, we must surely be doing something right!

Since the vote, an awful amount of disinformation and lies have been printed. The press were not allowed in the conference hall for the debate, and they seem to think that gives them licence to make up their own stories of what happened. Kernow Damow, like me, sat through the debate online, and I can’t improve on his blow-by-blow account of what actually happened, so I am sharing that below. Please forgive him for his AI headline—the actual content is good, and I can testify that it is accurate.

Many people inside and outside the Party are still confused about what the motion means, so let’s clear up some misunderstandings. This motion was an E motion about Foreign Policy. It has nothing to do with internal disciplinary matters, which are changed by D motions. People of all faiths and none will remain very welcome in the Green Party, and anyone suggesting otherwise is doing the party a huge disservice. The Green Party is an anti-racist party, and it is now the first party in the UK to show that anti-racism must include opposing the political ideology of Zionism. Note that this is entirely separate from faith. The motion is very careful to ensure that the conflation between support for Zionism and Judaism is stopped. Not all Jews are Zionists, and not all Zionists are Jews. But as the motion says,

Zionism is a political ideology which called for the creation – and, now it exists, the continuity – of an ethnonationalist Jewish State in historic Palestine to the exclusion and/or domination of the non-Jewish population. The real, material manifestation of Zionism has been the historic and ongoing dehumanisation, displacement, dispossession, disenfranchisement and destruction of Palestinians. This is based upon European settler-colonial systems of domination and oppression, which has also created racial hierarchies between Jews of different ethnicities in Palestine.

This should not be controversial. Indeed, the UN declared that Zionism is Racism way back in 1975. Everyone can see how this ideology has manifested itself, with the continuing apartheid and genocide. The motion continues

CONFERENCE RESOLVES THAT:

1. The Green Party declares itself to be an anti-Zionist party.
2. The Green Party rejects attempts to normalise the racist subjugation and oppression of Palestinians; to equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism; to deny or minimise Palestinian human rights; to create hierarchies of racism; and to normalise or attempt to justify apartheid, ethnic cleansing or genocide. We affirm that definitions of anti-Jewish discrimination should not equate Jewish identity with Zionist ideology or political practice. As with any ethnicity or faith group, no single political ideology should be ascribed to an entire people.
3. Following from Motion E05, which affirmed that Israel is an apartheid State committing genocide, and Motion E07 supporting reparations and accountability, the Green Party supports the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital, equal rights for all, and the right of return for Palestinians and their descendants.

We affirm our commitment to explicitly opposing Zionism in our internal and external communications going forward.
The UK and Welsh Parliaments, the London and Mayoral Assemblies, and Local Councils and Local Authorities must exercise their authority to end the genocide, occupation and apartheid. Elected Green representatives will continue to put pressure on all and any relevant bodies to achieve these goals. This motion ensures our positions comply with international law, equity, and our commitment to justice and human rights.
MPs, London and Mayoral Assembly Members, Councillors, and prospective Members of the Senedd should take measures at their respective chambers to create local, sub-national, and national action for Palestine, ending any investments in Israel; demanding peace and accountability, and an end to the egregious violations of international humanitarian law and the genocide conventions, and an immediate move towards accountability, reparations, and justice for the Palestinian people.

The first 3 amendments were rightly voted down. The 4th was a friendly amendment tidying up other conflicting policy that was accepted. Please listen to the video for this discussion.

It is very disappointing to hear accusations like “this motion was only passed due to entryism from far left and anti-semitic groups.” I have been in the party longer than any of the current MPs, having joined back in the 80s. Supporters of the motion come from a very broad range of ages, faiths, and length of time in the party.

Anti-semitism in the party is extremely rare, and when it is exhibited, it is firmly dealt with in the party. However, it has to be said that some members have been expelled from the party on the grounds of anti-semitism, when actually they are proudly anti-Zionist and anti-racist but nt at all anti-semitic.

It was disappointing to see MPs wait until the very last night before the debate to pile in. If they were so concerned about the motion, why didn’t they join in the policy process earlier, propose sensible amendments, or discuss views with Greens for Palestine? Instead, they put out wrecking statements encouraging people to vote against on the eve of the debate. I’m pleased they didn’t win the day, but now we are in the sorry state that our leaders are not speaking courageously to back this new policy.

Arguments over a one-state or two-state solution were valid. The former policy included the two-state solution, which is still backed by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign who have written this message of solidarity to the Green Party. But progress towards a two-state solution has been nonexistent, and it is very difficult to perceive how these two states could live side by side peacefully when Israel has expressed its intent to continue expanding its borders. Where would the borders be drawn? How would Palestine be rebuilt?

A one-state solution to end apartheid has already been modelled for us in South Africa. I am old enough to remember the long campaigns against Apartheid in South Africa, the boycotts, the protests, and ending sporting links. Overcoming apartheid seemed an impossible task, but due to the bravery of the South Africans, the determination of Nelson Mandela and the ANC and other liberation groups, and international solidarity across the globe, apartheid eventually came to an end. In my opinion, that would be the best solution for Palestine too. People can say Palestinians should decide, but at present there is no functioning body to help them do that. They are living a pitiful existence in tents in Gaza or constantly trying to defend their homes from armed settlers in the West Bank. Thanks to Israel’s oppression, they have very little functioning democracy. Lubna, the author of this motion, is Palestinian herself and speaks on behalf of her people.

Other nonsense being spread includes that a one-state solution would mean the extermination of the Israelis. Why? Can’t people envisage a multi-cultural society in Palestine?

Much is being made of the statement in the motion that says, “The Green Party affirms the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self-determination, including the right of the Palestinian people to resistance and liberation from Israeli occupation, domination and subjugation, and acknowledges that the struggle to achieve that liberation by all available means under international law is legitimate. “

Some are interpreting this to say that Greens now support violence or even the extermination of Jewish people, which is outrageous. According to the UN all nations have a right to self-defence. The Green Party is asking for Palestine to be treated just the same as any other state. A peaceful solution is of course preferable, but no one can deny the Palestinians the right to defend themselves from the ongoing genocide they are currently facing.

I think this new policy will attract many new members to the Green Party. I hope our MPs will take time to read up on the history of Palestine and talk with the proposers of the motion. We agree on so many vital things but need to urgently build bridges for the good of the party.