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Green conference motion on Zionism could be a gamechanger

Green party notion on Zionism

A motion for the Green Party’s spring conference seeks to acknowledge that “Zionism is Racism”. And it could be a game changer for UK politics.

No tolerance for smears

British-Palestinian artist Lubna Speitan has proposed a motion calling for:

The Green Party to declare itself an Anti-Zionist Party

At the same time, it wants the Greens to reject cynical attempts to “equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism” and “create hierarchies of racism”.

It’s a clear attempt to set out the strongest position possible on Palestinian rights, while firmly opposing the weaponisation of antisemitism allegations “to silence legitimate criticism” of Israel.

It also advocates for the “de-proscription of Palestine Action” and “release of all political prisoners” that the state has targeted in relation to “non-violent direct action” in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

As journalist Matt Kennard insisted, this is:

Basic stuff for a progressive party.

Challenging modern Zionism head on

As Jewish Voice for Peace has explained:

Zionism is a form of Jewish nationalism, and is the primary ideology that drove the establishment of Israel.

It added that:

While it had many strains historically, the Zionism that took hold and stands today is a settler-colonial movement, establishing an apartheid state where Jews have more rights than others.

In short, Zionism is ethno-religious nationalism. And while there were some less racist strains of it in the past, they have largely disappeared over time. The Zionism that dominates today is a racist ideology that, at its heart, believes Palestinian lives are worth less than Israeli lives.

Indeed, according to one controversial Zionist group, far-right extremism is “mainstream Zionism“ nowadays. And statistics seem to support that. Because in several surveys, most Jewish Israeli citizens have expressed support for ethnic cleansing, the statement that “there are no innocents in Gaza”, and the idea that their government’s genocidal assault on the occupied Palestinian territory was appropriate.

That’s why Green Party members should support the motion above. Because no progressive should support racism or mass murder. And today, Israel’s dominant ideology supports both.

At the same time, there’s a strong electoral reason to take a firm stance. Because from 2015 to 2019 (and beyond), former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn faced a brutal onslaught from Zionist propagandists because of his longstanding support for Palestine. And it played a big part in undermining the movement around him.

So going forwards, the left must be unashamedly anti-Zionist, and challenge Zionism head-on.

Featured image via the Green Party

By Ed Sykes

This post was originally published on Canary.