The Green Party of England and Wales voted at its Brighton conference to adopt a motion that describes Zionism as a form of racism. The amendment passed with 1,022 votes in favour and 813 against, but the result immediately set off a chain of complaints that have reached both law-enforcement and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Within hours of the vote, nine Labour Members of parliament drafted letters to Sussex Police, urging the force to examine whether any criminal offences occurred during the proceedings. Their correspondence cites reported chants such as “Zionists are not welcome here” and claims the motion could amount to a hostile act against Jewish people, potentially breaching the Public Order Act. Sussex Police confirmed receipt of the letters and said they are reviewing the material to decide the next steps.
Legal and regulatory response
The same group of Labour MPs also approached the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), asking the regulator to assess whether the new party policy violates the Equality Act 2010. The EHRC, which previously issued a critical report on Labour’s handling of antisemitism, replied that it had received the complaint and would “consider each allegation carefully”. It reminded political parties of their duty to avoid discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, and indicated that it may request a policy review if evidence suggests non-compliance.
Party leadership and internal backlash
Green Party leader Zack Polanski who is himself Jewish, refrained from voting on the motion and later issued a statement insisting that criticism of the Israeli government must be kept separate from antisemitism. He pledged that no member would be excluded because of their religious or communal affiliation. Polanski also highlighted the party’s commitment to “compassion, fairness and equality for all”. Critics, however, argue that his silence at the conference and subsequent focus on his candidacy for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election signal a lack of decisive leadership.
Within the party, a minority of MPs opposed the motion, with four of the five Green MPs in Parliament voting against it. Green MP Ellie Chowns expressed sadness that the resolution became official policy but resisted labeling it antisemitic, describing it as a “principled opposition to actions of the Israeli government”. She also pointed out that less than one per cent of the party’s over 200,000 members participated in the vote, calling for a review of the decision-making process.
International and affiliate reactions
The European Green Party, the umbrella organization to which the English and Welsh branch belongs, issued a statement distancing itself from the motion. It demanded immediate clarification from the party’s leadership on how Jewish members would be protected and on the party’s stance toward self-determination in the region.
Israel’s foreign ministry responded by banning Polanski from entering the country, a move welcomed by several Jewish advocacy groups that described the motion as an “attack on the Jewish community”. The controversy has therefore moved beyond party politics into diplomatic territory.
Polanski’s electoral focus amid the storm
While the controversy unfolded, Polanski turned his public messaging toward the upcoming Holborn and St Pancras by-election, posting endorsements from supporters and liking a social-media message that urged observers to “move on” from the dispute. He has not publicly addressed the police or EHRC investigations, a fact that opponents argue undermines confidence in his ability to manage the party’s internal divisions.
How the party reconciles these competing pressures will likely shape its public image and electoral prospects in the months ahead.
