European Greens seek clarity over English and Welsh Greens’ Zionism motion
A binding motion backing a single Palestinian state has prompted a response from the European Green Party, which supports a two-state solution.
The Green Party of England and Wales adopted a binding motion at its Brighton conference describing Zionism as a form of racism and supporting a single democratic Palestinian state across historic Palestine, with equal rights for all.
The European Green Party said the motion conflicts with its support for a two-state solution. The alliance, which represents 47 parties including the English and Welsh Greens, said it would seek clarification from the party’s leadership and parliamentary group on official policy and the party’s position on Israeli and Jewish self-determination and the protection of Jewish people.
Felix Banaszak, co-leader of Germany’s Greens, called the motion “intolerable and unacceptable” and said his party would consult European partners. Four of the English and Welsh party’s five MPs opposed the motion, according to The Guardian.
The vote has also sharpened debate over the party’s policymaking arrangements. Former co-leader Ellie Chowns said governance and policymaking urgently needed modernising, noting that about 0.4% of members participated in the vote. Sandy Ruthven, chair of Amnesty International UK’s charitable trust and a longstanding Green member, resigned over the motion and accused the party of failing to confront antisemitism.
The European Green Party has said it will seek clarification; no formal decision on consequences for the English and Welsh party has been reported. The party was approached for comment.
