The UK Green Party passed a resolution on Sunday, October 4, declaring that it considers Zionism to be a form of racism, setting out a formal party position on an issue that remains highly contested in British politics.
The resolution has drawn condemnation from some Jewish organizations in the United Kingdom and from the Israeli government. Critics have argued that the party’s position is connected to wider concerns about antisemitism and the treatment of Zionism in political debate.
The decision comes as political divisions over the war in Gaza and Israeli government policies remain prominent in Britain and across Europe. The Green Party has previously taken positions critical of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and has called for stronger measures in response to the conflict.
The resolution represents the position of the Green Party and does not constitute the official position of the British government. The UK government continues to maintain its own policy toward Israel, the Palestinian territories and the wider conflict.
The debate over the relationship between criticism of Israel, opposition to Zionism and antisemitism remains politically and socially sensitive. Supporters of the Green Party resolution distinguish their position from hostility toward Jewish people, while critics argue that defining Zionism as inherently racist can contribute to antisemitic narratives or undermine recognition of Jewish national self-determination.
The latest decision therefore adds another layer to an already contentious political debate in Britain. Its significance is primarily within the Green Party’s own political platform, rather than representing a change in official UK government policy.
