Scottish Green leader Ross Greer endorses 'Zionism is racism' policy, deepening UK party rift

Key points

• Ross Greer, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, confirmed to BBC Radio Scotland that he considers Zionism to be racist, stating that the creation of Israel was an act of ethnic cleansing and racism.
• The Green Party of England and Wales adopted a motion defining Zionism as an ideology supporting an ethnonationalist Jewish state, passing by 1,022 votes to 813 at its Brighton conference.
• Party leader Zack Polanski did not participate in the debate or vote, citing his campaign for the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, which critics argue was a failure of leadership.
• Four of the five Green MPs, including Ellie Chowns and Sian Berry, publicly opposed the motion, though Chowns stated it was not antisemitic but a principled opposition to the Israeli government.
• The European Green Party has sought to 'unequivocally distance' itself from the vote, while Israel's foreign ministry called the motion a 'stain on the history of the United Kingdom' and banned Polanski from entering the country.
• Jewish groups, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews, condemned the motion as an attack on the Jewish community, while Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay described Greer's comments as 'disgusting and dangerous'.

Background

The motion was adopted at the Green Party of England and Wales conference in Brighton, following a period of internal tension and a significant influx of new activists focused on Palestine. Previous coverage indicated that the policy triggered an Israeli ban on leader Zack Polanski and legal threats under the Equality Act 2010. The Scottish Greens are a separate entity from the England and Wales party but have now aligned with the controversial policy, marking a significant shift in their public stance.

How outlets are covering it

BBC reports that Greer supports the core definition of Zionism as racism but disagrees with other parts of the motion, such as the two-state solution. The Guardian highlights internal party criticism of Polanski for failing to act against the motion, noting that only 0.4% of members voted. The Week emphasizes the condemnation from Jewish leaders and former party figures, with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis calling the vote 'poisonous antisemitism.' Scottish Conservatives view the move as normalizing anti-Israel sentiment, while the European Green Party seeks to distance itself from the policy.

Why it matters

The adoption of this policy by a mainstream European party has triggered significant political and legal repercussions, including international condemnation and potential legal challenges under equality laws. It has deepened internal divisions within the Green Party, with key figures and MPs opposing the motion, and has raised concerns about antisemitism and the party's electoral prospects. The move also highlights the growing influence of activist groups within the party and the challenges of direct democracy in policy-making.

What to watch

The Green Party of England and Wales faces potential legal action under the Equality Act 2010 and a leadership election in less than a year. Critics are calling on Polanski to take action to reverse the policy or clarify the party's stance on protecting Jewish members. The Scottish Greens will likely face scrutiny over their alignment with the controversial policy, and the party may see further internal divisions and member departures.