Barnet Council Condemns Green Party's 'Zionism is Racism' Stance

Barnet Council has passed a motion condemning the Green Party's national policy that labels 'Zionism is racism'. The council's own motion, titled 'Antisemitism is racism', was approved at a full council meeting on Tuesday, 20th, with 58 councillors voting in favour and one against. This action follows the Green Party of England and Wales adopting its policy at its annual conference on 4th October.

The Green Party's new policy formally defines the party as 'an anti-Zionist party' and calls for 'a single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine'. This position contrasts with the UK government and United Nations' advocacy for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Council Leader's Motion and Debate

Barnet Council leader Barry Rawlings introduced the 'Antisemitism is racism' motion. He stated its purpose was to condemn the Green Party's stance and reaffirm the council's commitment to ensuring Jewish residents 'feel safe, welcome, respected and able to participate fully in community and civic life'. However, not all attendees agreed with the claims presented.

Beau Sebastian, a member of Barnet Greens and Jewish Greens who identified as an 'observant, anti-Zionist Jew', spoke from the public gallery. He described witnessing 'horrific settler and state violence' in the West Bank, stating his views on Zionism were formed from experience and reading, not slogans. Sebastian argued that Jewish people are not a unified group on the issue and that the Green Party's motion aimed to protect Palestinians without undermining Jewish people's rights.

Sebastian challenged Councillor Rawlings' assertion that the Green Party's policy had 'alarmed the majority of members of the Jewish community' in Barnet, calling it a 'big claim' without evidence. Councillor Rawlings responded that both Labour and Conservative councillors had received 'many emails' and had conversations with Jewish residents and organisation leaders, indicating widespread concern. He also suggested that supporting the Green Party policy implied asking Jewish people to 'disown their communities to participate in British politics'.

Councillor's Objections and Council Decision

Barnet's sole Green councillor, Charli Thompson, stated that 'highly inaccurate' information was present in Councillor Rawlings’ claims. She argued that motions should be based on 'accurate information' rather than 'falsehoods' and called for inaccuracies to be removed. Despite her objections, Councillor Thompson did not receive cross-party support for her position. The council's legal officer confirmed that the motion had been reviewed and was not considered improper.

The motion was ultimately approved by the council, with 58 votes in favour and one vote against.