Court records link Green Party motion proposer to jailed al-Qaeda supporter

Key points

• Lubna Speitan, a British-Palestinian artist and Green Party member, proposed the motion defining Zionism as racism, which passed by 1,022 votes to 813.
• 2015 US court documents list Speitan as a 'close friend' of Minh Quang Pham, who was jailed for 40 years for supporting al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
• Speitan offered to testify for Pham regarding his mental state but did not appear in person due to a medical condition; she later wrote a letter praising him.
• The Green Party is facing internal revolt, with several members and councillors resigning, and the European Greens distancing themselves from the policy.
• Labour and Liberal Democrat figures are ruling out future cooperation with the Greens, and some MPs have reported the party to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Background

The Green Party of England and Wales adopted a binding motion declaring Zionism a form of racism and calling for a single democratic Palestinian state in historic Palestine. This decision has triggered significant internal and external backlash, including an entry ban for party leader Zack Polanski from Israel, resignations from senior members, and condemnation from Jewish groups and other political parties. The motion passed despite opposition from four of the party's five MPs and the European Green Party.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and The Guardian emphasize the political fallout, including Labour and Lib Dem moves to sever ties and internal Green Party resignations. The Jerusalem Post highlights the scale of the vote relative to the party's 230,000 membership, noting it represents less than 1% of members, while also detailing internal walkouts. Haaretz argues the motion endangers Jews without helping Palestinians. All sources agree on the motion's passage and the resulting controversy, but differ in emphasis on the legal implications and the specific connections between the motion's proposer and the al-Qaeda case.

Why it matters

The revelation that the motion's proposer was linked to a convicted al-Qaeda supporter adds a new dimension to the controversy, potentially influencing public perception and legal challenges. It exacerbates existing divisions within the Green Party and between UK political parties, threatening future coalitions and cooperation. The incident also raises questions about the boundaries of political debate and the potential legal ramifications under UK equality laws.

What to watch

The Green Party is expected to continue facing internal investigations and potential further resignations. Labour and Liberal Democrats may formally rule out future cooperation, impacting UK political alliances. Legal experts may examine whether the motion breaches the Equality Act 2010. The Holborn and St Pancras byelection on Thursday will be a key test of the Green Party's electoral viability amid the controversy.