Jewish Greens chair considers leaving over 'Zionism is racism' motion
The chair of Jewish Greens, Vivien Lichtenstein, has stated that it is "quite possible" she will leave the party due to a recent motion. The motion, adopted by Green members, declares Zionism as a form of racism and supports a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine," including modern-day Israel.
Lichtenstein expressed her opposition to the motion, arguing that it is unhelpful and does not benefit Palestinians in Gaza or the West Bank. She also criticized the lack of consultation with Jewish Greens before its proposal.
The Green Party of England and Wales endorsed the policy motion with 1,022 votes, while 813 members opposed it. The party's leader, Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, did not stay for the final voting.
The motion defines Zionism as an ideology promoting "an ethnonationalist Jewish state" and has been condemned by some Jewish groups, including the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council, who stated that "Zionism is anti-racism." Lichtenstein herself identifies as both Zionist and anti-Zionist, depending on the definition.
She further explained that the motion crosses a line by not consulting with Jewish Greens and that it fails to consider the diverse opinions within the party.