Brief
Scottish Green co‑leader on Zionism debate
At the SNP conference, Gillian Mackay said the debate over Zionism’s definition hinders peace, after a motion at the England and Wales Green Party conference labelled Zionism as racism.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Speaking to journalists at the SNP conference on 17 October, Scottish Green co‑leader Gillian Mackay described the ongoing debate about whether Zionism is racism as “unhelpful” for Middle‑East peace, according to standard.co.uk.
What happened
The controversy began when the England and Wales Green Party conference voted on a motion that defined Zionism as a form of racism. The motion, backed by party members, sparked backlash across the UK. Labour announced it would sever council‑level ties with the Greens in England and Wales unless representatives disavowed the motion. At the same time, the Scottish Greens were holding their own annual conference in Inverness.
What the reports add
Standard notes that while the motion was not officially linked to the Scottish party, it is part of a broader international Green movement. The outlet also records reactions from other politicians: Scottish Conservative MP Andrew Bowie condemned the motion as “antisemitism has no place in Scotland,” and Reform UK’s Scottish deputy leader Thomas Kerr accused Mackay and fellow Green Ross Greer of choosing a “twisted interpretation of Zionism” over the safety of Scotland’s Jewish communities.
What was said
Mackay told reporters, “I don’t think the conversation at that point is helpful because it focuses on definitions rather than actually focusing on how we achieve peace for the region as a whole and make sure that self‑determination for those there is what we’re talking about and how we get to that point of peace.” She added after a pause, “It’s a difficult one… They absolutely should have the right to have somewhere to be and to be able to live in peace.” When asked if she views Zionism as racist, Mackay said the “realisation” of Zionism – the Israeli government’s offensive in Gaza and treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank – is racist, citing displacement of millions and thousands of deaths.
How it came about
The debate follows a series of Green Party controversies earlier in October, including leader Zack Polanski’s anti‑Zionist stance and his early departure from the Brighton conference where the motion was passed. Labour’s threat to end local coalitions with the Greens, reported on 15 October, added pressure on Scottish Greens to distance themselves from the motion. Mackay’s comments at the SNP conference represent the Scottish party’s attempt to navigate the fallout while reaffirming a commitment to peace and self‑determination in the Middle East.
Key facts
- Gillian Mackay said the Zionism‑racism debate is unhelpful for Middle‑East peace. (standard.co.uk)
- The England and Wales Green Party conference passed a motion defining Zionism as racism. (standard.co.uk)
- Labour announced it will cut council‑level ties with Greens unless the motion is repudiated. (standard.co.uk)
- Mackay described the realisation of Zionism as racist, citing displacement and deaths. (standard.co.uk)
- Conservative MP Andrew Bowie and Reform UK deputy Thomas Kerr criticised the Greens over the motion. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Zionism is racism debate ‘unhelpful’, says Scottish Green co-leader”
