Vivien Lichtenstein, head of the Jewish Greens, has stated she may leave the Green Party following its vote to adopt a policy that equates Zionism with racism and advocates for Israel to be replaced by a single Palestinian state. The motion was passed at the party's annual conference in Brighton on Sunday.
Lichtenstein described the motion as unhelpful and said it was “possible” she might quit, though opinion among Jewish members on the motion was split. She expressed concern that the policy could lead to the party accusing UK Jewish organisations, and Israeli-Jewish and joint Arab-Jewish organisations, of being Zionist and therefore racist.
The policy motion passed with 1,022 votes in favour and 813 against. The decision has also led to growing anger among some party members regarding Zack Polanski, the leader of the Greens in England and Wales, missing the vote and encouraging supporters to do the same to campaign for him in an upcoming parliamentary byelection.
The motion was opposed by four of the Greens’ five MPs and is anticipated to face a legal challenge under equality laws. Adam Wagner KC, a barrister, suggested such a case would have a strong chance of success, stating there is a significant risk the motion contravenes the Equality Act 2010 by potentially discriminating against and harassing people with Zionist beliefs and Jewish people more broadly.