REFORM UK BIRMINGHAM CONDEMNS GREEN PARTY’S ‘ZIONISM IS RACISM’ POLICY

Reform UK Birmingham has strongly condemned the Green Party’s decision to adopt a policy declaring Zionism to be a form of racism.

The policy goes far beyond criticism of the Israeli Government. It declares Zionism itself to be racist and backs replacing Israel and the Palestinian territories with a single political entity, ending Israel’s existence as a Jewish state.

Equally concerningly, the party rejected a safeguard which would have made clear that members should not be pressured, excluded or disciplined simply because of their affiliation with Jewish community institutions.

The timing makes the decision particularly disturbing. It comes just days before the third anniversary of the horrific Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023 - an already deeply difficult and painful time for Jewish communities in Birmingham and across the country.

It also raises serious questions here in Birmingham.

Only months ago, Birmingham’s Green Party promised voters that it would work to make Birmingham a city which stands firmly against antisemitism.

Those words now need to mean something.

Councillor Julien Pritchard and the Birmingham Green Group must say clearly whether they support or reject their national party’s new policy.

The Greens are also at the heart of the coalition running Birmingham City Council, holding the Deputy Leadership and major Cabinet positions. The administration has based its programme on its ‘Fairer Birmingham Partnership’ and promised a city where no resident or community is left behind.

Council Leader Roger Harmer must therefore make his own position clear and condemn this decision.

If Birmingham’s Greens support this policy, or refuse to distance themselves from it, the Liberal Democrats must explain how that is compatible with their ‘Fairer Birmingham Partnership’ - and why they are prepared to continue governing Birmingham in formal partnership with them.

Reform UK Birmingham Leader Cllr Jex Parkin said:

“The Green Party has crossed a line. Birmingham’s Green councillors cannot simply pretend this has nothing to do with them while they sit at the heart of the administration running our city.

“Cllr Pritchard needs to tell Birmingham whether he supports this policy, and Council Leader Cllr Harmer needs to tell us whether he condemns it.

“If the Birmingham Greens will not distance themselves from this decision, the Liberal Democrats then have a very simple question to answer: why are they still prepared to govern with them?

“At an especially painful time for Jewish people, Birmingham’s Jewish community should know that Reform UK Birmingham stands with them. Antisemitism has no place in our city.”