The UK's Green Party has formally adopted a policy that equates Zionism with racism, drawing condemnation from Israel, whose president called it an 'antisemitic lie', according to the Guardian and Al Jazeera.
Key facts
- The Green Party of England and Wales formally adopted a policy that equates Zionism with racism, according to the Guardian.
- Israel's president described the move as an 'antisemitic lie' that deliberately endangers Jews and Israelis, according to Al Jazeera.
- Israel condemned the decision as a 'stain on the history of the UK', according to the Guardian.
The Green Party of England and Wales has formally adopted a policy that equates Zionism with racism, a decision that has drawn condemnation from Israel, according to the Guardian.
Israel reacted strongly to the move. According to Al Jazeera, Israel’s president declared that the ‘antisemitic lie’ deliberately endangers Jews and Israelis.
According to the Guardian, Israel condemned the party’s decision as a ‘stain on the history of the UK’.
The definition of Zionism and its relationship to racism has become a flashpoint in wider debates over Israel, antisemitism and the language used to describe both.
It is not yet clear from the available sources what the full wording of the adopted policy is, how the vote was conducted, or whether the Green Party has issued a detailed response to Israel’s criticism.
Why it matters
The definition of Zionism and its relationship to racism is one of the most contested issues in debates over Israel and antisemitism. A formal policy by a UK political party, and the sharp response from Israel's president, highlights how divisive the language has become in international politics.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Green party actually vote for?
According to the Guardian, the Green party formally adopted a policy that equates Zionism with racism, with all party votes going to adopt it.
How did Israel respond?
According to Al Jazeera, Israel's president declared the policy an 'antisemitic lie' that deliberately endangers Jews and Israelis. Israel also described the move as a 'stain on the history of the UK'.