Jewish Greens Leader May Quit Party Over Zionism Vote 2026

The head of the Jewish Greens, Vivien Lichtenstein, has said she may leave the party after it voted to adopt a policy that equates Zionism with racism and calls for Israel to be replaced by a single Palestinian state. The motion, passed at the party's annual conference in Brighton on Sunday, has sparked anger and division within the Green Party, with Lichtenstein describing it as unhelpful and stating it was "possible" she might quit.

Green Party Passes Controversial Motion

The binding policy motion was passed by 1,022 votes to 813, despite opposition from four of the Greens' five MPs. The motion equates Zionism with racism and advocates for a single Palestinian state, a position that has deeply unsettled some Jewish members. Lichtenstein said opinion among Jewish members was split, but she believed the motion was unhelpful and could lead to her departure.

Leadership Under Fire

The controversy has been exacerbated by the decision of Zack Polanski, leader of the Greens in England and Wales, to miss the vote and encourage supporters to do the same so they could instead campaign for him in Holborn and St Pancras before the parliamentary byelection for the seat next week. Polanski had sought to postpone the conference to focus on his efforts to win Keir Starmer's former seat, but when the executive committee refused, the party contacted members encouraging them to get refunds on their conference tickets to campaign.

One long-standing member expressed anger at Polanski's disinterest in such a critical issue, saying: "You can't run a party on vibes alone." The motion is expected to face a legal challenge under equality laws, further complicating the party's internal dynamics.

Key Takeaways

• The Jewish Greens leader may leave the party over a motion equating Zionism with racism.
• The motion was passed by 1,022 votes to 813 at the annual conference.
• Four of the five Green MPs opposed the motion.
• Leader Zack Polanski missed the vote and encouraged supporters to campaign for him instead.
• The motion is expected to face a legal challenge under equality laws.

Comparing Positions on the Motion

Implications for the Green Party

The passage of this motion and the subsequent fallout could have significant implications for the Green Party. It risks alienating Jewish members and voters, and the expected legal challenge under equality laws could lead to further complications. The party's leadership, particularly Zack Polanski, faces criticism for prioritizing a byelection campaign over a critical policy debate. As anger grows, the party must navigate these internal tensions while maintaining its broader political objectives.

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