Joint Tory-Labour motion that 'Zionism is not racism' goes to vote at Westminster council

Conservative and Labour councillors are preparing to bring a joint motion to Westminster City Council declaring that “Zionism is not racism”. The motion, which is set to be voted on by the full council on Wednesday evening, has been proposed in response to the Green Party’s motion, adopted last month, to declare Zionism a form of racism. Wednesday’s joint motion by the Tories and Labour says that “Zionism, in its most widely understood sense, is the belief that the Jewish people have the right to national self-determination in their historic homeland. “For a majority of British Jews, it forms part of their Jewish identity, although Jewish people hold a wide range of views about Zionism, the State of Israel and its government.” The motion uses the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, which has been partially disowned by its lead author, who said last week that it has become "poisoned" and that "most are using it to go after pro-Palestinian speech". New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Conservative councillor Hannah Galley proposed the motion which is seconded by Labour councillor David Boothroyd. UK awards deals worth millions to firms linked to illegal Israeli settlements Read More » The motion itself cites "claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour" as an example of antisemitism given by the IHRA definition. The Conservative Party has a majority on Westminster City Council. The motion reads: “Zionism is not racism. Support for the Jewish people’s right to self-determination is not racist, and Jewish people are entitled to the same right to national self-determination as any other people.” It commits to a “review, within six months, of the Council’s equality, diversity and community cohesion training and policies, to ensure that they remain consistent with the IHRA working definition”. But the council has been handed a legal notice, seen by Middle East Eye, warning that passing the motion could put the council in breach of the Equality Act of 2010. 'Risks exclusion' Gary Spedding, an independent political consultant, sent the council a legal notice this week, seen by MEE, which says: “Adopting this motion as currently drafted risks placing Westminster City Council in breach of its statutory duties under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010… specifically regarding its adverse impacts on Palestinian, British-Palestinian, Arab, and associated Muslim residents who hold protected characteristics of race, nationality, and belief.” UK: Labour to stop cooperating with Greens in 11 councils over 'Zionism is racism' vote Read More » The Equality Act requires public bodies to eliminate discrimination and "foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it”. Spedding’s notice says: “For many Palestinian residents of Westminster, the historical and ongoing manifestation of Zionism is directly associated with displacement, statelessness, and systemic inequality. “For a local authority to officially declare that this ideology is entirely absolved of discriminatory character effectively marginalises and silences the lived experiences of Palestinian and British-Palestinian constituents. This risks creating an exclusionary public sphere, potentially amounting to unlawful harassment under Section 26 of the Equality Act.” The notice adds: “Using the IHRA definition to pre-emptively declare that specific political viewpoints regarding Zionism cannot be scrutinised or categorised as discriminatory by members of the public or political parties suppresses legitimate political discourse.” MEE asked the council for comment on the motion and the legal notice, but did not receive a response by the time of publication. This comes after Labour decided last week to stop cooperating with the Green Party in 11 councils across England over the Greens adopting its policy that "Zionism is racism" last month. Exclusive: Miliband set on sanctions regardless of Israel election outcome as officials try to weaken measures Read More » Through a vote of party activists at the Green Party's annual conference in October, the Greens became the first major party in the UK to recognise Zionism as a form of racism - and to back a single democratic Palestinian state with equal rights for all ethnic and religious groups, rather than a two-state solution. According to Labour, cooperation with the Greens will stop on Arun, Derbyshire Dales, Havant, Lewes, Sheffield, Stafford, Warwick, Wealden, West Devon and West Suffolk councils. Bridget Phillipson, the Labour chair, said the Green motion on Zionism "crosses a line and we cannot work with any party that supports it - at any level of government". Prime Minister Andy Burnham denounced the motion as "antisemitic" last month. The Green Party said it would "not take lectures" from a government that supplies weapons to Israel. Green leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, said that Labour's decision would "backfire" on the party. "The Green Party want to tax billionaires, tackle the climate crisis and stop arming a genocide," Polanski said. "Labour want to interrupt your local services & impose genocide support from its local councils."