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Nine Labour Members of Parliament have referred the Green Party to Sussex Police, requesting an investigation into potential “possible antisemitic offences” related to the party’s recent conference. This move comes amid concerns that certain actions or statements made during the conference may warrant a criminal inquiry. Both Sussex Police and the Green Party have been approached for their comments on the matter.
This controversy follows the endorsement of a policy motion during the Green Party conference in Brighton, where it was approved by 1,022 votes to 813. The motion addressed the impact of Zionism, describing it as having resulted in the “historic and ongoing dehumanisation, displacement, dispossession, disenfranchisement and destruction of Palestinians.” The passage of the motion has highlighted tensions within the party, especially between its newly expanded membership under leader Zack Polanski and the sitting MPs elected in the last general election. Notably, Polanski abstained from voting, and four of the party’s five MPs voted against the motion.
Israel’s foreign ministry reacted to the motion by imposing a ban on Polanski entering the country. Several Jewish organizations have also condemned the policy, calling it an “attack on the Jewish community.” In response, Polanski released a detailed statement emphasizing his commitment to making all members feel safe and welcome within the party. He declared, “As leader I will not accept any exclusion, or refusal to engage with anyone, because of the religious or communal body they are part of.” Polanski, who is Jewish himself, stressed that criticism of the Israeli state must be clearly distinguished from antisemitism and reaffirmed the party’s values of “compassion, fairness and equality for all.”
Separately, on Monday, a group of Labour MPs, coordinated by former Home Office minister Mike Tapp, sent two letters to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). These letters raised concerns over the motion and the decision to reject amendments aimed at protecting Jewish members attending Zionist synagogues. The MPs expressed worries about whether Jewish members could participate openly and safely in the party without facing discrimination or disciplinary action due to their religious or communal affiliations. The EHRC, which oversees equality laws in Great Britain, stated it would “consider each complaint carefully” but had not initiated a formal investigation. It also emphasized the legal obligations political parties have under the Equality Act 2010 to prevent discrimination.
Adding to the debate, the European Green Party, the larger political organization that includes the Green Party of England and Wales, issued a statement distancing itself from the Brighton motion. They called for immediate clarification from the Green Party leadership regarding steps to safeguard Jewish members and uphold their right to self-determination. Meanwhile, Green MP Ellie Chowns expressed to Radio 4’s PM programme that she was “deeply saddened” the motion had become official policy but disagreed with allegations of antisemitism. She argued the motion was fundamentally “underpinned by principled opposition to the actions of the Israeli government,” and suggested the party review its decision-making processes given that less than 1% of its over 200,000 members participated in the vote
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