Green Party leader Zack Polanski has stated he will not overturn a motion passed by party members that declared Zionism a form of racism. The controversial resolution, adopted at the Green Party's conference earlier this month, has caused significant division within the party and drawn widespread criticism.

Polanski announced his decision during an interview on "Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg." While he expressed a desire to amend the motion, he confirmed it would remain official party policy until 2028 due to the party's rules regarding conference decisions. The motion defined Zionism as an ideology supporting an ethno-nationalist Jewish state in historic Palestine, to the exclusion or domination of the non-Jewish population.

The motion's passage has led to a major backlash from various groups, including Members of Parliament, Jewish campaigners, the government, and the European Green movement. The equality watchdog has also contacted the party seeking further information about the resolution. The controversy overshadowed Polanski's recent campaign in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, where he secured second place.

Polanski faced criticism for not voting on the motion himself, which was passed by 1,022 votes to 813. He explained that he would have voted differently if two proposed amendments had been accepted. These amendments aimed to avoid mandating a single democratic state and to prevent the motion from being used to discipline Jewish Green members who attend synagogues with Zionist affiliations. Both amendments were rejected by conference attendees.

Regarding the motion's core assertion, Polanski stated his belief that the "practical application" of Zionism is racist. He indicated that while he respects the democratic will of the party members, his intention is to propose amendments at the earliest opportunity. He envisions moving towards a policy that emphasizes Israelis and Palestinians deciding their own future, rather than advocating for a single state.

However, the timeline for any potential amendment is distant. Polanski explained that party rules stipulate that a resolution passed at conference becomes policy for two years, meaning changes cannot be formally introduced until 2028. He indicated he would not seek to change party rules to expedite this process, emphasizing respect for member decisions.

Former Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay called for a quicker resolution, arguing that the current policy is "tenable" for the next two years given the "huge political distraction" it has caused for party councillors. Ramsay suggested a party-wide ballot as a potential way forward to clarify the party's overall stance, expressing confidence that a different outcome would emerge.

Green MPs, including Ellie Chowns, have also raised concerns about the party's member-led decision-making processes, particularly in light of the relatively low turnout for the vote. The motion also included commitments to a full arms embargo on Israel and Palestinian liberation, further contributing to the complex debate surrounding the party's stance on the issue.