Co-Leader of the Scottish Greens, Ross Greer, has agreed that Zionism is racist while not fully agreeing with the motion passed at the Green Party of England and Wales’s (GPEW) conference.
The motion “Zionism is Racism,” which defined Zionism as an “ethnonationalist political project,” was proposed by Lubna Speitan. It passed by 1022 votes against 813 on Sunday 4 October.
The Greens’ press release stated that anti-Zionism should not be equated with antisemitism.
Greer was interviewed by Martin Geissler on BBC Radio Scotland on 6 October to which he responded with a “yes” when asked if he considered Zionism to be racism.
He continued: “The state of Israel was founded on an act of genocide against Palestinians that continues today.”
Frustrated by the discussions over definitions, he said that the ongoing genocide is what “we need to focus on.”
Followed up by a post on social media this weekend, Greer stated: “The Scottish Greens believe in a future where everyone can live peacefully and equally under the law.”
However, he said that the Scottish Greens believe it is not for them to decide whether that will be in two separate states or one secular state.
This is a departure from the GPEW adopted policy which calls for the establishment of a single democratic state throughout historic Palestine.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Greens said: “Modern-day Zionism, which advocates that Jewish people have a superior right to the land of Palestine, has resulted directly in a genocide against the Palestinian people.”
A peaceful co-existence “is the future the Scottish Greens support and one that is for Palestinians and Israelis to decide and build together.”
Dr Susan Seigel, chair of the Jewish Council of Scotland, has commented: “People are feeling that it is very dangerous to show themselves as being Jewish.”
“The target on our back is getting bigger and bigger every day,” she added.
The European Green Party, of which the Scottish Greens are a member, seeks to “unequivocally distance” itself from the vote.
In Holyrood, First Minister John Swinney told BBC Scotland News that he does not agree with the motion.
The Student contacted the Edinburgh Greens for a comment, but they are yet to respond.
Photo by Shalev Cohen on Unsplash.
