Statement from Bristol Green Group on ‘Zionism is racism’ motion

As Zack Polanski has said, antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli state are, and must always be, completely distinct – blurring the line between the two is not only wrong but antisemitic, and makes Jewish people less safe.

The Bristol Green Group will keep resisting antisemitism wherever it appears. We have stood with our Jewish community as antisemitism has risen, and we deeply value and support of our Jewish members, citizens and their allies.

Through the Green Party’s unified stance and dedicated pressure, including from here in Bristol, we have also begun to shift this Labour government away from its complicity with the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza, with the Foreign Secretary now taking the long overdue, but hugely inadequate step of ending trade with illegal settlements.

Bristol Green Party councillors will continue to protect and improve local services, protect our local environment, and work hard to combat all forms of racism and discrimination in Bristol.

We value working with local community and faith-based organisations for the good of local people, regardless of the views of members or organisers.

Bristol Green Councillors will continue to decide the policies, motions, statements and strategies that we will pursue in our council work.

When deciding, we will consider Green Party policies alongside what our local communities think and our legal responsibilities as councillors.