Greens' Zionism row widens: Board of Deputies to vote on calling the party racist; Lib Dem–Green council deals questioned
The Greens' 'Zionism is racism' policy is still dividing the party. Ex-co-leader Adrian Ramsay urges councillors to reject it, and members demand an apology from the leadership. The Board of Deputies votes on Sunday on calling the party racist, and Lib Dem–Green council deals face pressure.
Left 0 · Centre-left 3 · Centre 1 · Centre-right 3 · Right 1
Sources by leanFollow the moneyMore coverage
How each side framed it
Left-leaning outlets
Internal democracy and dissent: ex-co-leader Adrian Ramsay urges councillors to reject the policy (Guardian), splits deepen and Polanski urged to apologise to members (Independent), Polanski's 'thwarted promise' (New Statesman). The National reports Labour won't rule out a coalition ban on the Scottish Greens.
Centre outlets
Centre-rated outlets headline it: “Green Party Explores Ways To Revisit Zionism Motion Ahead Of Spring Conference” (PoliticsHome).
Right-leaning outlets
Antisemitism and extremism: the Board of Deputies votes on calling the party racist (JC), an activist 'who praised Ayatollah' helped pass the motion (Times), no police action over chants (Telegraph). Lib Dem–Green council coalitions are under fire (ITV, JC).
Holding the paradox
Agreed facts
The 'Zionism is racism' motion passed at the Greens' conference on 4 October (1,022 to 813). Polanski says he will not try to overturn it but wants to amend it, and party rules lock conference decisions for two years. Labour has told councils to end deals with Greens who do not disown it. The Board of Deputies votes this Sunday on a motion declaring the party racist.
Where claims conflict
Whether criticism of the motion is about antisemitism or about silencing Palestine solidarity. Inside the party, members say the leadership treats them 'as political suspects', while others say the leadership was too slow to act.
The paradox
The same rules that make the Greens member-led stop the leadership from undoing a policy most of its MPs dislike. Its rivals gain either way.
Sources by lean
Balanced: the same number of articles from the left, the centre and the right (up to 3 each). The bar above still counts every rated outlet we found. Bias and factual ratings come from Media Bias/Fact Check. How we balance · All ratings.
Left 1
Centre 1
Right 1
- The Jewish Chronicle
Board of Deputies to vote on motion declaring Green Party racist
Showing 1 from each side of 8 rated outlets (L 3 / C 1 / R 4). Capped at 1 because that is all we found on the thinnest side. More coverage
Follow the money
Not yet researched. We haven't yet looked at who gains or loses financially from this story, or who funds the main voices on each side. When we do, we check company filings, the Electoral Commission donations register, lobbying registers, annual reports, InfluenceMap and OpenSecrets, and we apply the same checks to every side. How we follow the money.
Who owns or funds the outlets covering this story (9 outlets)
| Outlet | Lean | Ownership & funding (MBFC) |
|---|---|---|
| The Guardian | Centre-left | The Guardian and its companion publication, the Sunday newspaper The Observer, are owned by Guardian Media Group plc (GMG). Scott Trust Limited was created in 1936 to ensure the editorial independence of the publications and owns Guardian Media Group plc (GMG). source |
| The Independent | Centre-left | The Independent is owned by Independent Print Limited, a company owned by the Lebedev family (Alexander Lebedev and his son Evgeny Lebedev). In 2017, Saudi Businessman Sultan Muhammad Abuljadayel bought a 30% stake in the Independent online newspaper. Advertising and subscription generate revenue for the paper..push({}); source |
| The National (Scotland) | Centre-left | The National is operated by Newsquest Media Group Ltd., a UK-based local media publisher. Newsquest is a wholly owned subsidiary of USA TODAY Co., Inc., the media company formerly known as Gannett Company, which also controls AZthe USA TODAY Network of national and local news outlets in the United States and regional titles in the United Kingdom. Revenue is generated from advertising and subscription sales source |
| PoliticsHome | Centre | PoliticsHome.com is owned by Political Holdings Ltd, a media company controlled by Michael Ashcroft, a former Conservative House of Lords peer, and longtime party donor. The website previously belonged to Dods Group plc, a publishing company specializing in UK public policy and politics. source |
| ITV News | Centre-right | No ownership data found |
| The Jewish Chronicle | Centre-right | In 2020, The Jewish Chronicle was purchased by a consortium of philanthropists led by Sir Robbie Gibb and others, rescuing the paper from financial collapse. However, the full details of its ownership and funding remain unclear, as the financial backers of the consortium have not been fully disclosed. Speculation about involvement from figures such as billionaire Paul E. source |
| The Times | Centre-right | The Times and Sunday Times is owned by News UK (News Corp UK & Ireland Limited), which American News Corp owns. The owner and Executive Chairman of News Corp are Rupert Murdoch. Revenue is derived from advertising and subscription fees. source |
| The Telegraph | Right | Telegraph Media Group (TMG) owns The Telegraph, which is owned by Press Acquisitions Ltd., which in turn is owned by Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay. In 2004, Twin Brothers Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay acquired the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Telegraph from the Canadian media company Hollinger Inc. for £665 million. For a complete list of Board members, see here. source |
| Jewish News | Not rated | No ownership data found |