I am both an anti-Zionist and an active Palestine solidarity activists, who strongly supports Palestinian rights, self-determination, liberation and an immediate end to the occupation and the Genocide, I agree that criticism of Israeli government policy and Zionism as a political ideology must never be equated with antisemitism. Weaponising antisemitism accusations to silence legitimate pro-Palestine voices is wrong and incredibly damaging to the struggle against anti-Jewish oppression. However, we on the left must be ruthlessly honest: the Green Party has seen examples of real antisemitism espouses by some of the candidates that ran in recent elections. These cases cannot be dismissed as mere 'smears' or 'Zionist lobby' tactics.
It is outrageous that a group which refuses to formally affiliate to the Green Party so as to escape accountability under Green Party rules and code of conduct is making reckless statements which refer to 'the lobby' and dismiss legitimate concerns about antisemitism as a smear.
Palestine advocacy is not a political game or a badge to be worn and shown off. Being a Palestine solidarity activists comes with the responsibility of being the very best and most effective advocate that you can possibly be.
Making sloppy statements, complete with references to a vague 'lobby', that are totally open to interpretation and misrepresentation, is NOT responsible Palestine advocacy.
Some of the cases within the Green Party are clear-cut and indefensible, not 'fragments' or protected political speech:
- Candidates posting that “ramming a synagogue isn’t antisemitism, it’s revenge.”
- Calls for “every single Zionist” to be killed (including from an account carrying the name “thereal.anne.frank” operated by a Green Party candidate in Newcastle).
- References to “Jewish cockroaches,” conspiracy theories about Jews controlling governments or staging attacks, sharing Hamas-glorifying imagery, or claiming violent attacks on Jews in the UK were orchestrated by Israel itself as a 'false flag' operation.
These are not fringe excesses or legitimate “anti-Zionism.” They are textbook antisemitism that dehumanises Jews and has no place in any progressive, anti-racist political party. One case is one too many — and reports suggest over 30 candidates have faced credible accusations, with multiple suspensions and even arrests for stirring up racial hatred.
While it certainly can be noted that a lot of the evidence and information about the candidates who have faced credible accusations has been deliberately sat upon, sent to the press, and otherwise used as a tool to politically attack the Green Party rather than straightforwardly address antisemitism, it doesn't change the fact that this anti-Jewish oppression has appeared among Green Party candidates and members.
Addressing antisemitism seriously is not capitulation to the right-wing or the 'lobby' — it is a non-negotiable duty for any leftist or progressive that claims to oppose all racism. Failing to do so with clarity and speed doesn't protect the Palestine solidarity movement or pro-Palestine candidates; it poisons the chalice. It hands ammunition to those who want to equate all criticism of Israel with Jew-hatred, drives away Jewish progressives who should be our allies, and undermines our moral authority when we call out other forms of bigotry. True internationalism and anti-colonial politics require us to confront antisemitism head-on within our own ranks, just as we confront Islamophobia, racism against Arabs and Muslims, anti-Palestinian racism and every other prejudice. The Green Party (and the broader left) will only be stronger if it roots this out transparently — with proper vetting, education, and zero tolerance — while continuing to champion Palestinian freedom and justice without apology. Anti-Zionism is not inherently antisemitic, but antisemitism is real, and it has no place in Green politics or any progressive movement. Do better.