Jewish Greens chair says she could leave party over 'Zionism is racism' motion
The chair of Jewish Greens, Vivien Lichtenstein, is considering leaving the Green Party of England and Wales after members passed a motion labeling Zionism as a form of racism. The motion has sparked significant internal debate and criticism from Jewish advocacy groups.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing political friction within Western political parties regarding the definition of Zionism and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Image source, Gary Roberts/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images By Mallory Moench Published 7 minutes ago The chair of Jewish Greens Vivien Lichtenstein has told the BBC it is "quite possible" she will leave the party after Green members adopted a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism.
The motion, which has divided senior party figures, also backs a "single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine", which includes modern-day Israel.
It has been criticised by some Jewish groups and Israel's foreign ministry.
Asked by BBC Radio 4's Today programme about her future, Lichtenstein said: "I haven't decided yet...It is quite possible that I will leave the party...I'm giving it a little time and to talk with colleagues."
Lichtenstein, who is a former chair of her local party, said she had opposed the motion from the first time she heard about it.
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