Sheffield Green Party say they will "never tolerate any form of discrimination" amid 'Zionism is Racism' row
“We will continue to oppose genocide, ethnic cleansing, apartheid and illegal occupation wherever they occur”
The Sheffield Green Party has come out to say that they will not “conflate Zionism and Judaism” after allegations of antisemitism following a controversial motion from the national party.
Greens across the country have come under fire in recent weeks after the party backed a controversial ‘Zionism is Racism’ motion at their national conference in Brighton on Sunday, October 4.
The motion - voted for by 1,022 members, with 813 opposing - describes Israel as an apartheid state and calls on the creation of a single democratic Palestinian nation across “all of historic Palestine” - including areas currently under Israeli territory.
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They have since faced criticism both nationally and locally, with Sheffield councillors Matt Smith and Rob Reiss - representing Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats respectively - calling on the party’s local representatives to take accountability.
Councillor Angela Argenzio, Sheffield’s Green group leader, has now spoken out, saying that the party represents “all faiths and backgrounds” and will continue to fight against any form of discrimination.
“As Greens, we will always uphold universal human rights. We will never tolerate any form of discrimination, racism or harassment,” the Broomhill and Sharrow Vale councillor said.
“We will continue to oppose genocide, ethnic cleansing, apartheid and illegal occupation wherever they occur, and we will continue to speak out against violations of international law and human rights.
“On behalf of your local Green councillors, I can say unequivocally that we do not, and will not, conflate either Zionism and Judaism, nor anti-Zionism with antisemitism.
“Criticism of a political ideology is not, and cannot be allowed to become, hostility towards Jewish people.
“Equally, opposition to antisemitism must never be used to deny or diminish the rights of Palestinians. Human rights are not a zero-sum game. We know there is no conflict between supporting the rights of Palestinians and supporting the rights of Jewish people.
“The Green Party is committed to being an anti-racist party in every way. Within our city, Greens of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds continue to advocate for lasting peace, restorative justice and solidarity with the Palestinian people, just as we do with the people of Ukraine and all those suffering violence and oppression around the world.
“We will continue to work for a future in which all communities can live in freedom, security, dignity and coexistence, at home and abroad.”
Four of the Green Party’s five MPs voted against the motion, while the fifth - Gorton and Denton’s Hannah Spencer - did not vote.
Meanwhile leader Zack Polanski, who did not attend the vote, has since criticised the motion, telling BBC Radio 4: “I wanted to amend it on two grounds - those amendments fell and so I would have voted against the motion because there are aspects of it that I don’t think are okay.”
So far in Sheffield, Green councillors Mustafa Ahmed, Maroof Raouf and Alexi Dimmond have all publicly backed the motion with statements on social media.
East Ecclesfield councillor Rob Reiss has called on all the city’s Green councillors to reveal how they voted.
He added: “My concern is that this motion has generated significant controversy, including from Jewish Green Party members. Several Green elected representatives have publicly resigned from the party following its adoption, citing concerns about its direction.
“Councillors are elected to serve every resident in their ward, regardless of faith, ethnicity or political belief. Sheffield has a strong tradition of being an open, welcoming and inclusive city, and it is important that all communities feel represented and respected.
“The question is simple. Did Sheffield Green councillors vote on this motion, and if they did, how did they vote? Residents deserve a clear answer.”