Lord Finkelstein and Green MP Ellie Chowns debate Green motion declaring Zionism a form of racism

Conservative peer Lord Finkelstein and Green Party Westminster Leader Ellie Chowns MP debate Green Party members voting to adopt a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism. Israel's foreign ministry described the motion as a "clear antisemitic text" and beyond "the boundaries of legitimate political debate". Green Party leader in England and Wales Zack Polanski did not take part in the vote on Sunday. The motion, which has divided senior party figures, defines Zionism as an ideology supporting "an ethnonationalist Jewish state" and backs a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine". It has been criticised by some Jewish groups, who called the motion an "attack on the Jewish community". "Zionism is anti-racism, creating a refuge for Jews in their ancient homeland after millennia of persecution outside it," the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council said in a statement. "Branding most British Jews and Jewish institutions 'racist' stokes anti-Jewish hatred after a year in which British Jews have been murdered attending their synagogue, stabbed in the streets, and seen their community buildings firebombed." Israel's foreign ministry said the motion was "a stain on the history of the United Kingdom". Zack Polanski has said he will not accept anyone being excluded from the Green Party "because of the religious or communal body they are part of", after members adopted a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism. The Green leader said "no-one will be made unwelcome because of their background, their faith, or where they worship". The motion defines Zionism as an ideology supporting "an ethnonationalist Jewish state" and backs a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine". More than a dozen Labour MPs reported the Greens to the equality watchdog on Monday, saying it raised "serious questions". A Green Party spokesperson said: "We remain committed to upholding our own Code of Conduct and our duties under the Equality Act, and to ensuring the Green Party continues to be a safe place for all members." #newsnight #greenparty #ukpolitics #zackpolanski