Israel's foreign ministry announced it has banned Green Party leader Zack Polanski from entering the country following a party conference vote endorsing a motion that declared Zionism a form of racism. The ministry condemned the motion as an "antisemitic text" that crossed "the boundaries of legitimate political debate."

The controversial motion, which passed with 1,022 votes to 813, was put forward by a group of activists at the Green Party conference in Brighton. It defines Zionism as an ideology supporting an ethnonationalist Jewish state and advocates for a single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine. The motion's text states that "the real, material, manifestation of Zionism has been the historic and ongoing dehumanisation, displacement, dispossession, disenfranchisement and destruction of Palestinians."

The decision has exposed deep divisions within the Green Party. While some members, like activist Lubna Speitan who put forward the motion, argued it was a stance against "racist systems of oppression," others, including joint deputy leaders, expressed differing views. Mothin Ali backed the motion, while Rachel Millward described its wording as "problematic."

Polanski himself did not participate in the vote, having left the conference early to campaign for a by-election. He had previously commented on the motion, stating that "If your Zionism is the displacement of the Palestinian people then that is clearly racist." However, he also expressed a desire for the motion to be amended, suggesting the reference to a single Palestinian state should be removed, arguing that the party or government should not dictate future settlements. He also sought an amendment to ensure the motion would not be used to discipline Jewish members of synagogues identifying as Zionist.

The motion has drawn sharp criticism from several Jewish groups. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council issued a joint statement, asserting that "Zionism is anti-racism, creating a refuge for Jews in their ancient homeland after millennia of persecution outside it." They further warned that branding British Jews and institutions as "racist" incites anti-Jewish hatred, especially in light of recent attacks on the Jewish community.

Israel's foreign ministry characterized the motion as a "stain on the history of the United Kingdom," underscoring the gravity with which the Israeli government views the Green Party's resolution. The debate and its aftermath have dominated discussions at the conference, highlighting a divergence between the party's expanded membership base under Polanski's leadership and its elected Members of Parliament.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened international scrutiny on political discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Recent news also indicates the UK announcing sanctions on West Bank settlements, which prompted a furious Israeli response, suggesting a tense diplomatic climate between the two nations.

Questions remain about the future implications for the Green Party's internal cohesion and its relationship with the broader political landscape, both domestically and internationally, in the wake of this divisive resolution and Israel's retaliatory ban.