Zionism is Racism Green motion filibustered out of conference

The Green Party held its Spring Conference on Saturday 28 March, with members meeting online to debate and vote on the party’s future direction. At the centre of attention is a highly poignant and emotionally charged motion: Zionism is Racism.

Zionism is Racism

After members overwhelmingly backed bringing the motion forward – despite earlier attempts to block it entirely – pro-Palestinian Greens are now watching closely to see if the party will formally break with Zionism.

This embattled call for principled leadership has been led by Lubna Speitan, who referred to her Palestinian heritage and her people’s immeasurable suffering at the hands of their occupier, genocidal Israel.

After years of watching powerful leaders offer diplomatic cover while hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children have been murdered, with those surviving left to endure constant bombardment and sheer deprivation, socialists are now demanding far more from those in power.

Pro-Israel saboteurs running rampant in the Greens – still.

However, as mentioned previously, the motion has faced no end of pressure, whether from pro-Zionist Greens or typical hateful attacks from pro-Israeli lobby groups. Just today, another member proposed to rule “Zionism is Racism” out of order by arguing they already have a policy for two state solution.

On the other hand, if any policy should be thrown out, it is the two-state solution. Palestinians should have an inherent right to define what justice looks like for their people, and many argue that the prospect of two states is no longer viable on land that is rightfully theirs.

Nonetheless, sabotage or delay tactics have clearly been at play in the Greens today, with two votes of no confidence were brought in the very last twenty minutes. Each time, hundreds of Greens told them where to go by throwing the vote of no confidence out.

One member in the last 10 minutes bravely pointed out the very clear tactic at play to subvert the democratic vote on whether Zionism is indeed racism.

Which, obviously, it bloody well is.

Unwilling to be deterred, Lubna Speitan spoke powerfully defending her motion in the morning, saying:

Okay, as you know, I am Palestinian. This party says it stands with Palestinians and is one of the supporters for its stance. And I’m here today for those Palestinian and bringing forward this motion drafted by Palestinians. And with support from our Jewish allies with legal input on our motion.

adding:

Zionism is racism has had a record-breaking number of over 332 proposals.

Poignantly, she highlighted the clear attempts to subvert democracy by some members:

.. this attempt being made to rule out order is an attempt, an attack at democracy. To silence me, a Palestinian Muslim woman, confronting the racist reality of Zionism and its erasure of my family and people.

There are a huge number of people here who want to hear this motion.

Acknowledging the attacks they have received for this motion, Speitan reminded that taking action would be in line with international law and the Geneva Convention.

We are so sorry, Lubna – you deserved justice and true democracy

Ahead of the planned Zionism is Racism vote, Lubna became emotional and teary as she reminded of the impact of Zionism on her loved ones. She powerfully argued that Zionism has been the dispossession of her mother, the scars across her father’s body and emotionally added:

it’s the 56 of our relatives slaughtered in this genocide.

She finished:

A vote for this motion is a vote for clarity and equality. Zionism is racism and must be truly confronted… We reject all amendments to this motion. Free Palestine.

Subsequently, the chair said they could no longer proceed straight after Lubna powerfully spoke – and ended the conference. Frankly, it was incredibly painful and heartbreaking to witness the cold way in which this highly anticipated and emotionally charged motion ended up unheard.

So, the saboteurs won out, once again. And one thing is for sure; democracy, compassion and frankly, basic human decency, lost out once more.

Shame on all those who worked against such a crucial and landmark motion – history will not look kindly on you.

Featured image via the Canary