10 days on but still no update from Labour or Greens on the future of Sheffield City Council
Sheffield council is still at an impasse after Greens stood by their Zionism motion
The future of Sheffield City Council's leadership is still in doubt 10 days after Sheffield's Green Party refused to condemn the controversial Zionism is Racism motion.
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The controversial motion, which has been blasted as antisemitic by opponents, was passed at the national Green Party conference in Brighton on Sunday October 4.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham quickly denounced the Green's decision, with Labour Party chairwoman, Bridget Phillipson, going on to say that local collaborations between the two parties will end unless they reject the motion.
On October 15, Sheffield council leader Fran Belbin - who represents the Firth Park ward for Labour - issued an ultimatum that could end the existing joint administration at Sheffield City Council if the local Green Party contingent doesn't "publicly reject" what she describes as the "shameful and antisemitic" motion.
The motion defines Zionism as racism, and calls for a "single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine".
Councillor Belbin supports a "two-state solution, with freedom, security and self-determination for both Palestinians and Israelis," which is aligned with the national Labour government position.
Since the May elections Sheffield Council has been run by Labour and Greens in collaboration, with Liberal Democrats and Reform in opposition.
After the Prime Minister condemned the motion, Labour demanded their local groups cut ties with Greens where they had collaborative working arrangements - unless they denounce their own party's motion.
Council Leader Fran Belbin delivered the ultimatum almost two weeks ago, calling the Zionism motion "shameful and antisemitic" and criticising Coun Argenzio for not offering "reassurances to Sheffield's Jewish community".
The following day, Coun Argenzio responded: "You know that the Green Councillors are not antisemitic. Conflating Zionism with Judaism is itself antisemitic."
She also claimed the Greens had "reservations" working with Labour.
"When we decided to work together in Sheffield, we knew there were issues upon which we profoundly disagreed, for example your Party’s position on the Israeli Government’s genocidal actions in Gaza and the rights to peaceful protest," she said.
"We decided that for the good of Sheffield we would work together on issues where we agreed, acting as responsible local politicians to take the challenging decisions needed for the city.
She asked Coun Belbin to "set aside our political differences" to avoid "destabilising" Sheffield City Council.
She said: "Our responsibility goes beyond the direction you are receiving from London. If Labour chooses to destabilise Sheffield City Council over this, Labour owns the consequences."
If the shared leadership were to fail, Labour could run the council as a minority administration, but it could struggle to get important decisions through.
Leadership positions could also be potentially at risk, including housing and adult health and social care committees which are chaired by Green councillors.
It is understood an update will come in the next couple of days as to whether Sheffield's power sharing agreement will continue.