Labour council leader Bella Sankey has called on the Green Party leadership to clarify their position following a contentious motion passed at the party’s annual conference held at Brighton’s conference centre.
The motion, which passed at the Green Party of England and Wales conference, explicitly rejected the concept of Jewish self-determination and opposed a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Conference delegates also rejected an amendment that would have protected Jewish members from discrimination.
Sankey, who leads Brighton and Hove City Council, expressed grave concerns about the implications of the motion.
She argued that the position conflates the religious and cultural identity of Jewish people with the policies of the Israeli government.
The council leader stated that the motion undermines the city’s status as a City of Sanctuary.
During last month’s Labour Party conference in Liverpool, the Palestinian Ambassador to the United Kingdom addressed delegates and acknowledged the work of Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband regarding sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements.
The ambassador indicated that progress towards a two-state solution had become more achievable.
Local Green Party councillor Mark Strong publicly distanced himself from the motion, describing how declaring a fundamental aspect of Jewish identity illegitimate had caused him significant concern.
Zack Polanski, another Green Party member, was absent from the conference debate where the motion was discussed.
Green MP Sian Berry subsequently released a statement expressing regret that she had not campaigned against the motion.
Her statement acknowledged that her decision was connected to her campaign activities in Holborn and St Pancras during a separate by-election.
The Green Group of councillors on Brighton and Hove City Council issued a collective statement that stopped short of condemning the motion.
Observers noted that some members of the group appeared supportive of the position adopted at conference.
Sankey has formally requested that the Green Group of councillors confirm whether any of their members signed the motion during its development or voted in favour of it earlier this month.
She argued that given the party’s stated commitment to transparency, residents deserve clarity on these questions.
The Brighton Centre, the venue where the conference took place, is owned by Brighton and Hove City Council.
The council leader indicated that the authority would need to consider whether the venue should continue hosting events associated with the party given these circumstances.
Sankey emphasised that condemnation of Israeli government actions and support for Palestinian rights can be expressed without targeting Jewish self-determination or opposing peace negotiations.
She stated that the majority of Palestinians support a two-state solution as a pathway to regional stability.
The council leader confirmed that the council would continue advocating for Palestinian rights and a viable two-state solution while remaining committed to opposing antisemitism.
She affirmed that Jewish residents hold an unconditional place in Brighton and Hove and would not be subjected to ideological tests as a condition of belonging to the community.