Politics1 min read

Labour ends power-sharing with Greens in 11 councils over Zionism row

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The standoff began after an October Green Party conference motion described Zionism as an ethnonationalist effort and called for a single democratic Palestinian state, prompting sharp condemnation from Jewish groups and opposition leaders. Labour party chair Bridget Phillipson affirmed that the stance crossed a line, barring any collaboration at any level of government. Labour had issued an ultimatum to 18 authorities demanding local Greens publicly disown the measure and urge their leadership to reconsider. Because 11 councils failed to meet those conditions, Labour severed ties, threatening delays to local policy decisions.

Key points

  • The collapse of governing coalitions across 11 councils is expected to delay local budget…: The collapse of governing coalitions across 11 councils is expected to delay local budgets and policy decisions for hundreds of thousands of residents.
  • The political rift originated from an October conference vote defining Zionism as racism…: The political rift originated from an October conference vote defining Zionism as racism and advocating for a single democratic Palestinian state.
  • Prime Minister Andy Burnham condemned the Green Party's newly adopted motion, describing…: Prime Minister Andy Burnham condemned the Green Party's newly adopted motion, describing it directly as antisemitic.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Published

The Labour Party has pulled out of power-sharing agreements with the Green Party in 11 local councils, after the national party adopted a policy defining Zionism as a form of racism.

Labour councillors will now no longer be in coalition with the Greens in areas including Sheffield, Warwick and Lewes.

Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson said: "Labour has been clear from the start that the "Zionism is Racism" policy crosses a line and we cannot work with any party that supports it – at any level of government."

The Green Party has been contacted for a comment.

In October, Green Party members backed a motion, entitled "Zionism is racism", which said Zionism was an ideology that supported an "ethnonationalist Jewish State in historic Palestine". It also backed a "single democratic Palestinian State", including in modern-day Israel.

Having been backed by party members, the motion became Green Party policy, but it has left senior figures bitterly divided. Jewish groups and opposition political parties have condemned it.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham told MPs in October that Labour would not partner…

Politics