LONDON — Labour has suspended cooperation with Green party local councillors in 11 English council areas following a policy motion stating that 'Zionism is racism' and calling for Israel to be replaced by a single Palestinian state.
The decision, announced by Labour Chair Bridget Phillipson, affects coalition and power-sharing arrangements in Arun, Derbyshire Dales, Havant, Lewes, Sheffield, Stafford, Warwick, Wealden, West Devon, West Suffolk and Runnymede councils. Labour said six Green local parties have condemned the motion, preserving arrangements in Broadland, Monmouthshire, North Somerset, Rother, West Oxfordshire and West Sussex.
Phillipson said the motion 'crosses a line and we cannot work with any party that supports it – at any level of government'. She drew a parallel to Labour's own efforts to root out antisemitism within the party.
The Green Party leadership has resisted disowning the policy, arguing against 'lectures' from a Labour government that supplies arms to Israel. Some Green councillors and former co-leader Adrian Ramsay have called for renouncing the policy, putting them at odds with current England and Wales leader Zack Polanski.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has written to the Greens to seek more information about the motion and assess its practical implications. The policy was passed at the Green party conference last month with just over 1,000 votes, equating to approximately 0.4% of total membership.
In a joint statement, the Greens and the Local Government Association Green group said they were 'hugely disappointed in moves designed by national parties to force local council leaders into jeopardising successful progressive partnerships that are delivering benefits for residents.' They added that councillors across party lines have worked together to provide stable local government and protect services.
The dispute underscores a deep divide over Israel-Palestine policy within the Green Party and its impact on local government partnerships.
