A motion submitted for consideration by the Green Party of England and Wales at its Spring Conference conflicts with existing party policy, risks discrimination against Jewish members and misrepresents international law, according to a legal memorandum by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI).

The memorandum analyses Motion A105 / E12, titled “Zionism is Racism”, which has been submitted for debate at the party’s conference on 28 March 2026. According to UKLFI, the motion and its accompanying briefing rely on “definitional distortions, historical inaccuracies and legally unsustainable claims”.

UKLFI sent the memorandum to Harriet Lamb,  CEO of the Green Party and Jon Nott Chair of the Green Party on 6 March 2026. No response has been received.

UKLFI’s memorandum argues that the motion wrongly characterises Zionism—a diverse political and cultural movement supporting Jewish self-determination—as inherently racist. The analysis states that such a characterisation ignores the historical complexity of the movement and the wide range of views held by those who identify as Zionists.

Risk of stigmatising Jewish members and staff

The memorandum warns that the motion could have serious implications for the party’s Jewish members and staff.

Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UKLFI, said:

“For many Jewish people, Zionism is closely connected to their identity, history and sense of collective security. Declaring that Zionism is inherently racist risks labelling many Jewish members as racists simply because of their beliefs about Jewish self-determination.”

The memorandum states that even where the motion attempts to distinguish between Jewish people and Zionists, the practical effect may still be to stigmatise Jewish members whose identities include a connection to Zionism.

UKLFI concludes that if the motion is passed, it is liable to result in the party violating the Equality Act 2010 in its treatment of members and staff.

Concerns about international law

The legal analysis also argues that the motion promotes positions inconsistent with fundamental principles of international law.

According to UKLFI, the motion’s framing dismisses the legitimacy of Jewish national self-determination while supporting Palestinian self-determination, creating what the memorandum describes as an “inconsistent and legally unsustainable approach”.

The memorandum notes that international law recognises the right of peoples to self-determination and warns that denying this right uniquely to the Jewish people would raise concerns under international anti-discrimination norms.

Conflict with Green Party policy

UKLFI further argues that the motion contradicts existing policy of the Green Party of England and Wales, which supports the mutual recognition of the rights of Israelis and Palestinians to independent statehood and emphasises that exclusive claims by either side cannot lead to a just solution.

The memorandum states that adopting this motion therefore represents a significant policy shift that requires consultation with appropriate bodies under the party’s constitutional rules, which has not been carried out.

In addition, UKLFI points out that the motion conflicts with the party’s “philosophical basis” and would therefore require a two thirds majority to pass.

Call for reconsideration

UKLFI has requested the Green Party leadership to carefully consider the legal and practical implications of the motion before the conference.

Turner commented:

“Political parties are of course entitled to debate difficult international issues. But they should do so in a way that is historically accurate, legally sound and respectful of all their members.”