Green Party fractures over 'Zionism is racism' policy and leadership crisis

Key points

• Green Party members passed a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism and supporting a single democratic Palestinian state in historic Palestine.
• The motion passed by 1,022 votes to 813, representing roughly 0.4% of the party's 230,000 total members.
• Party leader Zack Polanski lost the Holborn and St Pancras by-election to Labour but vowed to remain leader despite criticism.
• Westminster leader Ellie Chowns stated the party must not be vulnerable to capture by extremists and racists, calling the new policy damaging.
• Jewish groups and former leader Caroline Lucas criticized the motion, while some members defended it as a stance on Palestinian liberation.

Background

The Green Party has seen a surge in support since Zack Polanski took leadership in September 2025, though recent polls suggest this momentum has waned. The party’s decentralized structure allows members to set policy, a system that has come under scrutiny following this controversial vote. Previous tensions arose from comments by deputy leader Mothin Ali regarding settler colonialism, highlighting ongoing debates about internal party dynamics and anti-racism definitions.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and The Guardian report that Ellie Chowns, the party’s Westminster leader, described the new policy as significant and damaging, emphasizing the need to prevent the party from being captured by extremists. She noted that the motion did not represent the majority of members or the public. The Guardian highlights that Chowns criticized Polanski for failing to lead the debate, though she acknowledged his opportunity to unite the party. Al Jazeera offers a contrasting opinion, arguing that the motion reflects ignorance of Zionism’s historical context as a response to persecution and that calling for a single state undermines Palestinian self-determination. The outlet claims the move benefits Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by validating his narrative of global opposition. While BBC and The Guardian focus on the procedural failure and internal division, Al Jazeera frames the issue as a moral and political error that damages the Palestinian cause.

Why it matters

This controversy threatens the Green Party’s growing political influence and its ability to present a unified front on international issues. The dispute over the definition of Zionism and the appropriate solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has split the party, with calls for Polanski’s resignation from the Jewish Greens. The outcome will determine whether the party can maintain its recent surge in support or if internal fragmentation will hinder its progress in upcoming elections and policy debates.

What to watch

Zack Polanski has stated he will remain leader despite his by-election defeat and criticism. The next leadership election is scheduled for summer 2027, but internal pressure may force an earlier review. Ellie Chowns has indicated she will work to reform the party’s policy-making structures to prevent such divisive motions from passing with minimal support. The party must now navigate the fallout while continuing to campaign on other issues, including climate change and Palestinian rights, without further alienating key voter groups.