Welsh Green deputy quits over Zionism motion, urging party split

Key points

• Phil Davies announced his resignation from the Green Party on social media, stating the decision was accelerated by the party's adoption of a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism.
• Davies described the motion as 'imperialistic' and 'idiotic,' arguing it does not materially improve the lives of people in Palestine and is not the type of politics he wishes to be associated with.
• The motion, passed at a conference in Brighton with 1,022 votes to 813, calls for a single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine, including modern-day Israel.
• Davies suggested Welsh party members should vote to split from the Green Party of England and Wales at a conference next month to stand as an independent Welsh party.
• Party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, stated that anti-semitism and criticism of the Israeli state are distinct, and he would not accept exclusion based on religious or communal affiliation.
• Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth described the Green Party's policy as 'ill-judged,' reaffirming his support for a two-state solution and solidarity with Jewish communities in Wales.

Background

The resignation follows a series of internal conflicts within the UK Green Party regarding the Zionism motion. Previous reports indicated that the motion was proposed by Lubna Speitan, who was linked to a jailed al-Qaeda supporter in court documents, leading to an internal investigation. The policy adoption triggered an Israeli ban on party leader Zack Polanski and prompted threats of legal action under the Equality Act 2010. While four of five Green MPs opposed the motion, Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer endorsed the premise that Zionism is racist, deepening the rift between different branches of the party.

How outlets are covering it

BBC Wales reported that Phil Davies viewed the motion as 'pointless' and 'disgraceful,' emphasizing his desire to distance himself from the policy and his support for a Welsh split. In contrast, Al Jazeera published an opinion piece arguing that the Green Party's stance is historically consistent with the 1975 UN resolution and that Zionism is fundamentally a settler-colonial ideology. Al Jazeera emphasized the material reality of dispossession in Palestine, whereas BBC Wales focused on the political fallout, including the reactions of Welsh leaders and the party's internal divisions. BBC Wales also highlighted the criticism from First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, who advocated for a two-state solution, contrasting with the Green Party's call for a single state.

Why it matters

The resignation of a senior party figure and the call for a regional split highlight the deepening fragmentation within the UK Green Party. This internal conflict threatens the party's cohesion and electoral prospects, particularly in the wake of a by-election defeat. The controversy also underscores the broader societal tensions regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, with political figures and legal experts debating the boundaries between anti-Zionism and antisemitism.

What to watch

Welsh Green Party members are expected to vote on whether to split from the Green Party of England and Wales at a conference next month. Party leader Zack Polanski faces pressure to resign following a by-election defeat and internal criticism, with MPs urging him to address the crisis. The party may face further legal challenges regarding the motion's compliance with the Equality Act 2010.