# Green Party Zionism policy controversy and fallout > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/green-party-of-england-and-wales-zionism-policy > Updated: 2026-10-26T02:41:55.000Z. Sources: 115. Developments: 6. The Green Party of England and Wales faces intensifying internal and external pressure following its decision to classify Zionism as a form of racism. The policy, passed at the Brighton conference by a margin of 1,022 to 813, defines Zionism as an ethno-nationalist ideology and advocates for a single democratic Palestinian state. International backlash has been severe. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the motion as a “clear antisemitic text” that “goes far beyond the boundaries of legitimate political debate,” while Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar reportedly barred leader Zack Polanski from entering the country. Domestically, the Board of Deputies of British Jews passed a motion declaring the Greens a “racist party,” urging other political groups to avoid coalition deals with them. The European Green Party has also distanced itself from the UK branch. Internal divisions have deepened. Four of the party’s five MPs expressed opposition, and Sandy Ruthven, chair of Amnesty International UK’s charitable trust, resigned in protest. Additionally, members rejected an amendment intended to protect Jewish members from discipline based on their affiliation with Zionist-identifying community centers. In response to the controversy and the loss of the Holborn and St Pancras seat to Labour, Polanski has proposed overhauling democratic mechanisms to grant leadership more control over strategic direction. While Polanski stated he will not seek to amend the policy until at least 2028, senior officials and regional leaders remain fractured, with some calling for his resignation and others distancing themselves from the motion. ## Claims - The party's policy asserts that anti-Zionism should not be equated with antisemitism. (disputed by 15 sources) - The Movement for Progressive Judaism stated the Green Party has made antisemitism party policy. (disputed by 4 sources) - The motion passed by 1,022 votes to 813. (corroborated by 31 sources) - The Green Party adopted a motion declaring Zionism to be racism. (corroborated by 23 sources) - The party defines Zionism as an ethnonationalist political project. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The party calls for a single democratic state throughout historic Palestine. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Israel has barred Green Party leader Zack Polanski from entering the country. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The party reaffirms its commitment to a full arms embargo against Israel. (corroborated by 16 sources) - Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the resolution as a disgrace. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The Campaign Against Antisemitism accused the Greens of imposing an extremist purity test on Jews. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The Movement for Progressive Judaism asserted that declaring Jewish self-determination racist is an attack on Jews. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The European Green Party has distanced itself from the Green Party of England and Wales. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: Board of Deputies of British Jews labels Green Party racist The Board of Deputies of British Jews passed a motion declaring the Green Party of England and Wales a “racist party” following the party's adoption of a motion equating Zionism with racism. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/board-of-deputies-of-british-jews-labels-green-party-racist ### 2026-10-21: Green Party faces internal division over Zionism motion The Green Party faces deepening internal splits after members passed a motion describing Zionism as racism, prompting calls for leader Zack Polanski to resign and pressure from local political rivals. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/green-party-faces-internal-division-over-zionism-motion ### 2026-10-11: UK Green Party leader proposes rule changes following Zionism motion UK Green Party leader Zack Polanski seeks to reform party democracy and increase leadership control after a controversial motion defining Zionism as racism was passed by a small minority of members. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/green-party-leader-proposes-reforms-after-controversial-zionism-vote ### 2026-10-06: Green Party faces backlash after passing 'Zionism is racism' motion The Green Party of England and Wales faces backlash and internal division after passing a motion defining Zionism as racism, leading Labour figures to rule out future cooperation. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/green-party-faces-backlash-after-passing-zionism-is-racism-motion ### 2026-10-04: Green Party of England and Wales defines Zionism as racism The UK Green Party has voted to define Zionism as racism, prompting Israel to ban party leader Zack Polanski from the country and sparking internal resignations and international condemnation. 53 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/green-party-of-uk-votes-to-classify-zionism-as-racism ### 2026-10-02: Green Party of England and Wales adopts policy defining Zionism as racism The UK Green Party has voted to define Zionism as a form of racism and support a single Palestinian state, sparking intense backlash from the Israeli government and British Jewish organizations. 58 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/green-party-passes-motion-defining-zionism-as-racism --- Cite as: Green Party Zionism policy controversy and fallout. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/green-party-of-england-and-wales-zionism-policy