The Rother Labour Group has written to the Rother Green Group following the Green Party’s recent vote to adopt a motion entitled “Zionism is Racism” as party policy.
We believe this policy is wrong and antisemitic. It labels the vast majority of British Jews, and Jews around the world, as racist for supporting Israel’s existence. It also rejects a two-state solution, which remains the only credible basis for a just and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Labour Government has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, is clear that the occupation is illegal, and is banning trade in goods from illegal Israeli settlements. It continues to work towards a two-state solution that delivers freedom, security and self-determination for Palestinians and Israelis alike. Opposing the actions of a government is one thing. Declaring a belief held by many Jewish people to be inherently racist is another, and at a time when Jewish communities face unacceptable levels of antisemitism, it is deeply harmful.
Here in Rother, the Labour Group serves in the Rother Alliance alongside the Rother Association of Independent Councillors, the Rother Liberal Democrat Group and the Rother Green Group. Our partnership rests on mutual respect, equality and opposition to all forms of racism and discrimination. As the Prime Minister has said, the Labour Party will have nothing to do with this policy, and that applies to every partnership we are part of at every level of government.
We have therefore asked the Rother Green Group, within seven days, to:
- make a clear and unambiguous public statement that it rejects the “Zionism is Racism” policy and that the policy does not reflect the position of the Group; and
- publicly call on the Green Party leadership to reject the policy in its entirety and confirm that it will not be the party’s national position.
Without this, the Labour Group cannot continue to participate in the Rother Alliance.
We take no pleasure in this, and we hope to keep working constructively with colleagues across the Alliance for the benefit of local residents. But our Jewish residents and communities deserve unequivocal support and reassurance, and we will not compromise on that.
The letter was sent on 15th October and is reproduced in full below.
Cllr Gareth Delany
Co-Deputy Leader, Rother District Council and Leader, Rother Labour Group
Dear Polly,
I am writing to you following the Green Party’s recent vote endorsing a motion entitled “Zionism is Racism”.
This motion, now adopted as Green Party policy, is deeply concerning and antisemitic. It condemns the vast majority of British Jews and Jews around the world as racist simply for supporting Israel’s existence. It also rejects a two-state solution, which remains the only credible basis for a just and lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Labour Government has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank and continues to work towards a two-state solution, with freedom, security and self-determination for both Palestinians and Israelis. We are clear that the occupation is illegal, and we are banning trade in goods from illegal Israeli settlements. In contrast, this new Green Party policy crosses a line. It is shameful and should be condemned across the political spectrum. At a time when Jewish communities continue to face unacceptable levels of antisemitism, language which labels Zionism — and therefore support for Israel’s very existence by many Jews and non-Jews — as inherently racist is particularly harmful.
Power sharing agreements are built on the principles of mutual respect, equality and opposition to all forms of racism and discrimination. As the Prime Minister has said, the “Zionism is Racism” motion is wrong, it is antisemitic and the Labour Party will have nothing to do with it. This includes any partnerships we have at all levels of government. If we are to continue working together on behalf of local residents, we require a clear and unambiguous public statement that you reject the “Zionism is Racism” policy and that it does not reflect the policy of your Group within seven days. Without this public confirmation, the Labour Group will not be able to continue any coalition or power sharing agreement. We also require you to publicly call on the Green Party leadership to reject this policy in its entirety, and to make clear that “Zionism is Racism” will not be the Green Party’s national position. Our Jewish residents and communities deserve nothing less than unequivocal support and reassurance.
I hope that we are able to continue working constructively together for the benefit of local residents – but I also hope you understand the importance of the issues I have outlined today.
The Labour Party and the Labour Government will continue working every day to ensure that Jewish communities and all communities are safe, feel safe and have their rights upheld, while striving to rid our society of antisemitism once and for all. I hope we can work together locally to uphold those principles.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Gareth Delany
Co-Deputy Leader, Rother District Council & Rother Labour Group Leader