Jewish Greens Chair Signals Possible Exit After Party Backs 'Zionism Is Racism' Motion

The chair of Jewish Greens, Vivien Lichtenstein, has indicated she may resign from the Green Party of England and Wales following a contentious conference vote that classified Zionism as a form of racism. In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Lichtenstein said she had not yet made a final decision but acknowledged that leaving the party was "quite possible." She explained that she was taking time to consult with colleagues before determining her next steps.

The motion at the centre of the controversy was approved by party members at the Green Party's autumn conference in Brighton, passing by a margin of 1,022 votes to 813. The proposal, which was introduced by a group of activists, declares Zionism to be an ideology rooted in support for an "ethnonationalist Jewish state." It further endorses the creation of "a single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine," a territory that encompasses modern-day Israel, with Jerusalem as its capital, equal rights for all inhabitants, and the right of return for Palestinians and their descendants.

The Green Party has approximately 230,000 members overall, though only a fraction of them were present at the conference to cast ballots on the motion. The vote has exposed deep divisions among senior figures within the party, with several prominent members speaking out against the measure. Four of the party's five Members of Parliament—Ellie Chowns, Adrian Ramsay, Carla Denyer, and Sian Berry—had publicly voiced their opposition before the vote took place. The party's leadership has also been split on the issue.

Party leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, had attempted to modify the motion before the vote. He pushed for amendments that would have added explicit protections for Jewish members and removed the reference to a "single democratic Palestinian State." Both amendments were rejected by conference attendees. Polanski left the conference early and did not remain to vote on either the amendments or the final motion, departing instead to campaign in Holborn and St Pancras, where he is contesting a by-election for a seat in Parliament.

Lichtenstein, who previously chaired her local party branch, said she had opposed the motion from the moment she first learned of it. She argued that the measure would not improve conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, who have endured widespread devastation and a growing number of orphans, nor for those in the West Bank, who continue to face violence and attacks. In her view, the motion "crosses a line" and serves no practical purpose for those it purportedly aims to support.

One of Lichtenstein's specific concerns is that the motion's sponsors claimed to have consulted with Jewish individuals but did not engage with Jewish Greens, who could have proposed amendments to soften or improve the language. She also noted that Jewish Greens members hold a "vast range" of opinions on the matter, with some fully backing the motion, others supporting certain elements, and others opposing it outright. Some Jewish Greens members also favour a one-state solution, she added.

Lichtenstein described her own position as "both Zionist and anti-Zionist," depending on how the term is defined—a reflection, she said, of the fact that Zionism carries multiple meanings. She stressed that she is not troubled by accusations that supporting Israel's right to exist makes her racist, insisting that such a characterization is false. Her primary objection, she explained, is that the party could now label UK, Israeli, or Jewish organisations—including those that work alongside Palestinians—as racist.

She expressed support for many groups that operate against the occupation and provide direct assistance to Palestinians on the ground. However, she fears the new policy could put such organisations in an awkward position if they are associated with a party that officially regards Zionism as racism. Lichtenstein also revealed that she knows non-Jewish members who are considering leaving the party for similar reasons, believing the motion has crossed a boundary and could complicate their professional or organisational affiliations.

When asked whether antisemitism exists within the Green Party, including at senior levels, Lichtenstein said she believes there are "certainly some antisemites in the party," though she has not personally encountered it at the leadership level. Her comments reflect broader concerns among Jewish members about whether the party remains a welcoming environment for those with connections to Israel or Zionist beliefs.

The motion has drawn sharp criticism from major Jewish organisations in the UK. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council issued a joint statement condemning the measure, asserting that "Zionism is anti-racism, creating a refuge for Jews in their ancient homeland after millennia of persecution outside it." Israel's foreign ministry also responded, announcing that it had banned Polanski from entering the country—a move that underscores the international ramifications of the vote. The UK and eleven allied nations support a two-state solution that would establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel, though Israel itself rejects that framework.

A Green Party spokeswoman insisted that the party would continue to protect Jewish members and that they would not face persecution for attending synagogues that identify as Zionist. Lubna Speitan, the Green member who brought the motion forward, defended its intent after the vote, saying its supporters wanted to express opposition to "racist systems of oppression." She added, "We stand united against all forms of racism and discrimination—no exemptions."

The controversy highlights the broader tensions within progressive political movements over how to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while balancing the concerns of Jewish members. Lichtenstein's potential departure, alongside the possible exits of other members, signals that the fallout from the conference vote may continue to shape the party's internal dynamics and public image in the weeks ahead.