Political Clash Over Jewish Community
Labor MP Josh Burns Criticizes Greens Leader Over Comments on Jewish Community
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Key Points
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The British motion was put forward by party members, not Green Party leadership; its wording says the party’s anti-racism policy working group would implement the definition according to its usual practice.
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Caroline Lucas said there is “no single definition of Zionism,” a concern she cited in opposing the motion.
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Josh Burns warned that Shoebridge’s comments could “send chills up the spines of many people in the Jewish community,” and urged him to reflect on his response.
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The Australian Greens leadership contest was a rare contested ballot among the party’s MPs. Shoebridge described the result as evidence of the party’s eagerness to respond to overlapping social, economic and environmental crises, while Anthony Albanese suggested Shoebridge’s hardline approach could turn off Greens voters.
Britain's Green Party is debating a motion to formally define Zionism as racism, drawing fire from former leaders who warn it could alienate Jewish communities. Left Foot Forward reports that the conference motion has triggered sharp internal divisions, with protesters gathering outside the party's Brighton gathering. Meanwhile, in Australia, Labor MP Josh Burns has accused new Greens leader David Shoebridge of prejudicing Jewish Australians by emphasizing political ties based on Gaza policy positions.
The disputes highlight growing tensions within Green parties over how to discuss Israel, Palestine, and Jewish identity. Former UK Green leaders warn that labeling Zionism as racism lacks nuance and could push Jewish voters away. In Australia, Burns argued that Jewish citizens should not be judged or included in politics based on their Middle East views alone.
UK Greens Motion Draws Opposition From Former Leaders
The British Green Party is voting on a motion to declare "Zionism is Racism" during its twice-yearly conference in Brighton. Times of Israel reports that the motion would effectively reshape how the party views Israel and Jewish statehood. The measure comes from party members, not leadership, though it would go to the party's anti-racism working group for implementation.
Former Green leaders Caroline Lucas and Adrian Ramsay have publicly opposed the motion. Middle East Eye covered protests outside the conference, where pro-Israel demonstrators gathered to oppose the measure. Lucas argued there is "no single definition of Zionism," making a blanket party position problematic for Jews who hold varied views on Israeli statehood.
Burns Warns Australian Greens Leader Over Jewish Comments
Josh Burns, a Labor MP, has strongly criticized new Australian Greens leader David Shoebridge for comments that Burns says could harm Jewish Australians. Burns warned that Shoebridge's emphasis on political ties with those opposing Israeli policy could "send chills up the spines of many people in the Jewish community." Burns urged Shoebridge to reconsider his approach to engagement with Jewish voters.
Shoebridge, who won a rare contested leadership ballot among Greens MPs, defended the party's position. He said the Greens work alongside Jewish Australians who campaign against what he calls genocide in Gaza. The dispute reflects broader disagreement over whether supporting Palestinian causes means excluding or welcoming Jewish political voices.
Dividing Lines Over Zionism and Jewish Identity
The core disagreement centers on whether Zionism—the movement for a Jewish state in Israel—can be separated from Jewish identity itself. British Greens say defining Zionism as racism risks treating all Jewish people as responsible for Israeli government policies. Burns made the same argument in Australia: Jewish citizens hold diverse political views and should not be politically judged by their stance on the Middle East.
Shoebridge and supporters counter that the party must take strong positions on Gaza and Palestinian rights. They argue this stance does not exclude Jewish people who share those views. The disagreement shows how Green parties are struggling to navigate anti-racism principles, Palestinian solidarity, and inclusion of Jewish members—three goals that some see as in tension.
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