The Board of Deputies of British Jews has declared the Green Party of England and Wales to be a racist party, according to BBC News.
The declaration follows the Green Party’s passage of a policy motion stating that Zionism is racism, an action described by the Board of Deputies as crossing a line into antisemitic territory.
KEY FACTS
- Board of Deputies of British Jews voted to declare Greens a racist party.
- Vote was triggered by Green Party passing a ‘Zionism is racism’ policy motion.
- Declaration reported by BBC News.
Who is affected?
The Board of Deputies of British Jews represents Jewish communities across the UK and frequently speaks on matters affecting British Jews. Its declaration directly targets the Green Party of England and Wales, one of the smaller registered political parties in the UK Parliament.
The Greens held 1 seat in the House of Commons following the 2019 general election, though they retain influence in local government and environmental activism. Their adoption of the ‘Zionism is racism’ motion places them at odds with a major representative body for Jewish people in Britain.
Policy motions passed at party conferences or internal gatherings typically become official party positions unless formally amended or withdrawn. The Board of Deputies’ response indicates it considers this particular motion sufficiently serious to warrant a formal declaration about the party’s character.
What happens next?
No further details were provided in the source regarding reactions from the Green Party leadership, other political figures, or potential consequences of the declaration. The status of any ongoing dialogue between the two groups remains unknown.
The original Green Party motion and the Board of Deputies’ statement may be reviewed independently by interested observers. How either side proceeds publicly—whether through additional statements, retractions, or engagement—has not yet been documented.
As the situation develops, additional voices within British politics, civil society, and media are likely to weigh in, especially given the sensitivity of accusations involving racism and antisemitism.
WHAT WE KNOW — AND WHAT WE DON’T
Verified by the source:
- The Board of Deputies of British Jews declared the Green Party a racist party.
- This followed the Green Party adopting a ‘Zionism is racism’ policy motion.
Still unconfirmed:
- Exact date or mechanism of the Board of Deputies’ vote.
- Response or comment from the Green Party.
- Whether other Jewish organizations agree with the declaration.
- Details about how the motion was passed internally by the Greens.
Why it matters
Declarations of this kind can influence public perception, intergroup relations, and how political parties are viewed by voters and allies. Antisemitism and anti-racism remain highly charged issues in UK politics, making statements from representative bodies particularly consequential.
What to watch
It remains unclear whether the Green Party will revise its position or issue a public response. Observers will be watching for follow-up statements from either side or intervention by other political actors.