Green Party in Turmoil as MP Warns of Extremist Influence After Zionism Vote

A senior Green Party figure has issued a stark warning about the party's internal vulnerabilities following a contentious conference vote that labelled Zionism as a form of racism, deepening divisions within the party's ranks and raising questions about its direction under current leadership.

Ellie Chowns, who leads the Green Party's operations in the House of Commons where the party now holds five seats, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme that she could not confirm whether extremists had already infiltrated the party, but stressed the need to safeguard against such risks. She described the motion as "significant and damaging" and committed to working towards internal reforms.

The motion in question, brought forward by party activists, was approved during the Green Party's autumn conference earlier this month. It passed with 1,022 votes in favour and 813 against. The policy formally characterises Zionism as an ideology that supports what it calls an "ethnonationalist Jewish state" and endorses the establishment of a single democratic Palestinian state across all of historic Palestine, a territory that encompasses modern-day Israel.

Chowns highlighted the narrow margin of participation, pointing out that only 0.4% of the party's roughly 230,000 members had cast votes on the motion. She argued this exposed structural weaknesses in how the party formulates and adopts policy positions. According to Chowns, the resolution does not reflect the views of most Green members, nor of the wider British public.

The controversy has exposed fault lines among prominent Greens. Caroline Lucas, who served as the party's first and only MP until 2024 and remains a high-profile figure, voiced concerns that the party is failing to guard against entryism—the practice of individuals joining an organisation specifically to steer its agenda. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Any Questions, Lucas attributed part of the problem to the party's constitution, which she noted was drafted decades ago, long before the Greens had parliamentary representation or mayoral roles.

Lucas was careful not to direct criticism at current leader Zack Polanski, praising his contributions to the party's recent growth. Nevertheless, she emphasised the need to transform the Greens into "a welcoming place for Jewish people," acknowledging the hurt and alienation the motion has caused within the Jewish community.

Jewish organisations responded sharply to the conference decision. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council issued a joint statement rejecting the motion's premise, asserting that "Zionism is anti-racism, creating a refuge for Jews in their ancient homeland after millennia of persecution outside it." The groups represent a significant segment of Britain's Jewish population and their condemnation underscores the sensitivity of the issue.

The Green Party's leadership has offered a qualified response to the fallout. A party spokesperson defended the organisation's internal democratic processes, noting that membership has grown since Polanski announced his leadership bid in May 2025. The spokesperson explained that Green members are entitled to propose and determine policy, and that the Zionism motion was just one of many debated at the party's largest-ever conference, insisting that no single interest group dictates outcomes.

Polanski himself, who is Jewish, has sought to distance himself from the motion while not entirely rejecting its contents. He previously stated he would not have voted for it in its unamended form, preferring an alternative version. However, he described a "substantial part" of the motion—specifically its assertion that the displacement and genocide of Palestinians is underpinned by a racist ideology—as "obvious." Israel has consistently rejected allegations that its military actions in Gaza constitute genocide.

The internal debate comes at a politically delicate moment for the Greens. Polanski's leadership, which began in September last year, initially triggered a surge in support, with polls showing rising favour for the party. More recently, however, that momentum appears to have slowed, and the party suffered a disappointing result in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election this week.

Polanski finished second behind Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali, who secured 45% of the vote compared to his 33%. Despite the loss, the Green vote share increased by 22 percentage points relative to the 2024 general election, suggesting the party retains a growing base in some areas. Following the defeat, Polanski told BBC Breakfast he would "absolutely" remain as leader and had never entertained doubts about his position.

The by-election result has nonetheless intensified scrutiny of Polanski's leadership. Vivien Lichtenstein, who leads the Jewish Greens group, called for his resignation, arguing he made a "big mistake" by avoiding the conference debate on the Zionism motion. Polanski left the conference early to campaign in north London and was absent for the vote and any amendments.

Ashok Kumar, a Green member affiliated with the Greens for Palestine group, defended the motion, framing it as a matter of Palestinian liberation. He dismissed concerns that the vote damaged the party's public image, suggesting instead that a growing number of voters view the issue as central. He told BBC Politics Live that the Zionist position is becoming "the marginal position" given the violence witnessed over the past three years.

The episode has reignited discussions about how political parties manage internal democracy while maintaining broad electoral appeal. The Green Party's tradition of allowing members to directly shape policy is often presented as a strength, but critics argue it can leave the party exposed to organised factions with narrow agendas. The coming months will test whether Chowns's promised reforms can address those concerns without alienating the activist base that has driven the party's recent growth.