"We can find a way through this issue" Sheffield council leader issues statement in Zionism row update
“I am glad that the Green Party in Sheffield are now listening to my concerns and those of Jewish communities in this city”
Sheffield City Council leader Fran Belbin says she is glad the city’s Green Party councillors are listening to her concerns after a row over a controversial Zionism motion threatened to end their leadership alliance.
The council leader’s latest statement comes after weeks of discussions between Labour and the Greens after the Green Party passed the ‘Zionism is Racism’ motion at their national conference in Brighton in early October.
Labour blasted the Greens’ decision, with Labour Party chairwoman, Bridget Phillipson, going on to say that local collaborations between the two parties would end unless the motion was rejected.
In Sheffield, this very nearly led to an end between the leadership agreement at the city council, but just as Labour were preparing to form a minority administration an 11th hour decision ahead of a meeting on Wednesday, November 4, saved the alliance.
On Monday, November 9, Coun Belbin issued a new statement addressing the issue, saying: “I am glad that the Green Party in Sheffield are now listening to my concerns and those of Jewish communities in this city. In the days ahead I will continue to offer leadership to this city based on my own principles and those of the Labour Party.
“I will always strive to find consensus, and I will always put the people of Sheffield first, but I will not sign up to any agreement that targets an idea that is so central to the beliefs of many in our Jewish community, nor ignore the concerns of any minority group.
“More positively, I do not believe most Green Party councillors, members, or supporters want to hurt, frighten or marginalise minority communities.
“I think we can find a way through this issue and I will always do everything I can to bring stability and leadership to Sheffield. But politics without principles is nothing, and my principles in this matter have always been clear.”
Other parties have criticised how Labour and the Greens have managed this conflict, with Reform UK councillor Jack Byrom describing it as “a total shambles” while the Liberal Democrats called it a “political circus”.
However, Coun Belbin - who represents the Firth park ward - has defended her party’s actions, saying that they had “no choice but to challenge the Green Party’s position”.
She added: “It is the honour of a lifetime to lead Sheffield City Council, the city I am proud to call home. But leadership is nothing without principles, and my principles are at the foundation of my politics.
“Over the last few weeks, the Green Party conference vote for the motion claiming that ‘Zionism is Racism’ has called into question the joint administration between Sheffield Labour and the Green Party.
“That is because the motion contradicts the principles that of all us within the Labour Party agree with: that both Palestinian and Israeli people, of all faiths and none, should determine the future of the peace process in the Middle East. Just as importantly, I do not believe or agree that anyone in our city who believes in a two state solution to the crisis engulfing Israel and Palestine is supporting a racist ideology or idea.
“I have heard directly how the motion has caused fear and pain in our Jewish communities. No-one should have to worship surrounded by security guards, but this is the current reality for our Jewish congregations. As the Leader of Sheffield City Council and the Labour Group in Sheffield I have therefore had no choice but to challenge the Green Party’s position which is compounding that fear.”