The Irish Press - Westminster Council Unanimously Rejects Green Party Motion in 'Zionism is not racism' Vote

Conservative and Labour members of Westminster City Council have unanimously passed a motion affirming that "Zionism is not racism," a decision that serves as a direct political rebuke to the national Green Party’s recent adoption of a conflicting policy. The vote took place during the council’s full meeting on Wednesday, November 11, at Marylebone Town Hall, where the proceedings were accompanied by both pro-Palestine protesters and counter-demonstrators gathering outside.

The resolution, described as a rare cross-party proposal, was backed by all members present in the chamber. It explicitly states that the local authority believes Zionism is not racism and that support for the Jewish people’s right to self-determination does not constitute racist behavior. The motion further declared that the Green Party’s position is incompatible with the council’s statutory duty to foster good relations between communities and with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Cllr Hannah Galley, the Cabinet Member for Children and Education who moved the proposal, emphasized the council's responsibility to defend community cohesion and challenge prejudice. She highlighted the sustained hostility toward Jewish identity in Westminster since the Hamas assault on October 7, 2023. Galley noted that intimidation has reached levels where Jewish residents are the only group required to worship behind security patrols.

"Zionism is not racist," Galley stated. "Jewish identity is not to be erased and Jewish people should never have to hide who they are to feel safe in London." She argued that the council has a duty to ensure every resident feels safe expressing their identity, pointing to incidents where posters of hostages and symbolic yellow ribbons were ripped down from public spaces.

Cllr David Boothroyd, Labour’s former finance chief and the motion’s seconder, described it as "profoundly sad" that the council had to address attacks on Jewish people over a conflict located thousands of miles away. He argued that singling out one people to deny their right to self-determination under international law is inherently discriminatory.

"Discriminating against Jews is antisemitism," Boothroyd said. He added that while the right to self-determination extends to Palestinians, denying it is also racist. Boothroyd revealed that the Labour group had attempted to insert an amendment into the draft motion advocating for a two-state solution, but an agreement could not be reached with Conservative members.

The motion outlines four specific actions if agreed upon, including directives for the Council Leader and the Leader of the Opposition to write to local synagogues and the London Jewish Forum to offer reassurance. It also calls for consistent challenges to antisemitism regardless of the political party or individual from which it originates.

Prior to the meeting, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) was made aware of a complaint filed by Gary Spedding, an independent political consultant. Spedding warned of "serious legal deficiencies" in the motion, alleging that adopting it as drafted could place Westminster City Council in breach of its statutory duties due to potential impacts on Palestinian, British-Palestinian, Arab, and associated Muslim residents. He called for the withdrawal of the item until a full Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted.

Outside Marylebone Town Hall, the atmosphere was tense. A large contingent of pro-Palestine protesters gathered on the steps, chanting to a rolling drumbeat, while counter-protesters holding Israeli flags assembled nearby. One banner held by demonstrators read "FIGHT IMPERIALISM! WEST LONDON" and referenced British support for Zionism.

Faaiz Hasan, a prominent member of the local Green Party, spoke on Remembrance Day, urging reflection on those who have died in war, including tens of thousands killed in Gaza. He acknowledged that members involved in the national party’s motion anticipated "a deluge of bad faith attacks" on their leaders, including Green Party Leader Zack Polanski.

Hasan clarified the Green Party’s position, stating they are against Zionism but believe it to be completely distinct from Judaism. "Jews are welcome in the Green Party," he said. "Our leader is Jewish. We are proud to be led by him." He emphasized that there is no linkage between the two concepts.

The national Green Party’s motion, which declared "Zionism is racism," was adopted at its annual party conference with 1,022 votes in favor and 813 against. The decision has drawn criticism from within the party and externally. Ellie Chowns, one of the Greens’ five MPs, told the BBC that the policy was "significant and damaging."

Zack Polanski, the Green Party Leader and a Jewish man, has rebutted claims that the motion amounts to antisemitism. Speaking to the London Assembly, he distinguished between being Jewish and being a Zionist, describing Zionism as a huge part of his identity shaped by growing up with the story of the Holocaust. He noted that the motion was co-proposed by Stephen Kapos, a Holocaust survivor, and framed it as a commitment to "never again" for all groups of people.

During the Westminster council meeting, Boothroyd’s voice wavered as he recounted his visit to the Nova exhibition in London, which commemorated the murders at the music festival on October 7. While critical of Israel’s actions and the lack of acceptance regarding Palestinian land rights, he maintained that importing international conflict into local communities and making Jewish residents answer for Israel’s actions is "profoundly wrong."

Council Leader Cllr Paul Swaddle confirmed that he would write to members not in attendance to request confirmation of how they would have voted on the motion. The unanimous support from Conservative and Labour councillors underscores a significant divergence between local Westminster governance and the national Green Party’s policy direction on the issue.

The resolution concludes with a reaffirmation that antisemitism must be challenged consistently, regardless of its source. The council’s stance aims to foster an environment where Jewish residents do not feel compelled to hide their identity for safety, contrasting sharply with the national party’s declaration that linked Zionism directly to racism.

P.Grannan--IP