UK’s Green Party adopts anti-Zionist policy after members' vote

The motion, which passed by 1,022 votes to 813, sets out the party's opposition to Zionism, which it defines as an ethnonationalist political project, and states that anti-Zionism should not be equated with antisemitism.

The policy reasserts the party's commitment to Palestinian liberation, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and a full arms embargo against Israel.

It also restates the Green Party's backing for the right to self-determination and calls for the establishment of a single democratic state throughout historic Palestine.

A Green Party spokesperson described the debate as "serious and deeply felt" and said members valued their ability to shape party policy through conference decisions.

"The 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 and the West Bank," the spokesperson said.

"Those 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."

The vote is likely to prompt further discussion both within the party and beyond, given the sensitivity of the subject and the narrow margin of support. Opponents of the motion within the membership had argued against the adoption of the position, though the conference has now made its decision.

Leader Barred from Israel

In a related development, Israeli occupation authorities have barred UK Green Party leader Zack Polanski from entering the country following his party's adoption of the resolution, which Israeli officials characterised as equating Zionism with racism.

The Israeli foreign ministry condemned the vote as an antisemitic text. Critics, however, argue that allegations of antisemitism are strategically deployed to deflect or silence international criticism of the occupation's genocidal policies.

The entry ban marks an escalation in the fallout from the conference vote and is likely to intensify debate over the party's new position both domestically and internationally.