Green Party Member Behind 'Zionism is Racism' Motion Faces Death Threats

Lubna Speitan, a British-Palestinian activist and artist, has reported receiving death and rape threats following the Green Party of England and Wales' national conference in Brighton, where a motion declaring 'Zionism is racism' was passed. Speitan stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that she has received numerous threatening messages via social media and email, which have been reported to the police. She described these threats as anticipated intimidation tactics from pro-Israel groups, emphasizing the necessity of confronting such issues despite the personal distress.

The motion, which passed with 1,022 votes in favour and 813 against, defines Zionism as a form of racism based on the dispossession and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. It supports Palestinian self-determination and advocates for a single democratic state in historic Palestine for all communities. The motion also clarifies that anti-Zionism should not be conflated with anti-Semitism.

The resolution has drawn criticism from other British political parties, causing internal turmoil within the Green Party. Several left-wing Members of Parliament (MPs) have voiced their disapproval, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stated he would not partner with the party, labelling the motion as