Jewish Greens Chair Threatens Exit Over Party's 'Zionism is Racism' Policy

Key points

• Vivien Lichtenstein, chair of Jewish Greens, told the BBC she is considering leaving the party after the adoption of the 'Zionism is racism' motion.
• The motion passed at the Green Party conference in Brighton by 1,022 votes to 813, despite opposition from leader Zack Polanski and four of the party's five MPs.
• The policy supports a single democratic Palestinian state in historic Palestine and defines Zionism as an ethnonationalist ideology.
• Lichtenstein argued the motion does not help Palestinians in Gaza or the West Bank and criticized the lack of consultation with Jewish Greens.
• Israel's foreign ministry banned Green Party leader Zack Polanski from entering the country in response to the vote.
• Jewish organizations, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, condemned the motion as antisemitic, while Green co-deputy leader Mothin Ali supported the original wording.

Background

This development follows the UK Green Party's formal adoption of the policy on October 4, 2026, making it the first mainstream European party to equate Zionism with racism. The move triggered immediate legal concerns regarding the Equality Act 2010 and diplomatic fallout, including the Israeli entry ban for party leader Zack Polanski. It also highlights ongoing tensions within the party, where deputy leader Mothin Ali has faced scrutiny over personal property holdings despite supporting anti-landlord policies.

How outlets are covering it

The BBC reports that Vivien Lichtenstein views the motion as crossing a line, arguing it harms Palestinian causes and excludes Jewish voices, while noting internal party divisions. The BBC highlights that Polanski opposed the final wording and left the conference early. In contrast, the Yahoo source provided is a technical error page and contains no substantive reporting to compare. The BBC notes that while some Jewish groups and opposition parties condemned the motion as antisemitic, Green member Lubna Speitan defended it as a stance against all forms of racism. The BBC also notes that Lichtenstein acknowledges some antisemites exist in the party but disputes the motion's intent, whereas the Motion for Progressive Judaism and Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis labeled the policy 'poisonous antisemitism'.

Why it matters

The motion signals a significant shift in UK left-wing politics, potentially alienating Jewish voters and international allies while deepening internal party divisions. It raises legal questions regarding UK equality laws and diplomatic tensions with Israel, as evidenced by the entry ban for party leader Zack Polanski. The controversy also highlights the complex intersection of antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and pro-Palestinian advocacy within progressive movements.

What to watch

Vivien Lichtenstein has not yet decided whether to leave the party but is consulting with colleagues. The Green Party leadership remains divided, with co-deputy leader Rachel Millward calling the motion 'problematic' while Mothin Ali supports it. Legal experts may assess whether the policy breaches the Equality Act 2010. The party will likely face continued pressure from Jewish organizations and opposition parties to reverse or clarify the stance.