The debate over whether Zionism is racism is “unhelpful” to seeking peace in the Middle East, the co-leader of the Scottish Greens has said.
The discussion was sparked by a motion at the annual England and Wales Green Party conference, which was backed by members, defining Zionism as racist.
Backlash over motion
Zack Polanski’s party – which is not officially linked to the Scottish party but forms part of a wider international movement – has faced a backlash since the vote. Labour has announced it will cut ties with the party at council level in England and Wales if representatives do not disavow the motion.
Speaking to journalists at the SNP conference, where she appeared to discuss Scottish independence, Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay said: “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.”
Right to exist question
Ms Mackay struggled to answer if she thought Israel had a right to exist. “It’s a difficult one,” she said after a pause.
She added: “They absolutely should have the right to have somewhere to be and to be able to live in peace.
“We absolutely condemn antisemitism in absolutely all of its forms and we want to see peace in the Middle East and self-determination for the people that are there.
“I think constantly having politicians from other places say what should and shouldn’t be the thing for those people I don’t think is always particularly helpful.
“But I think we need to make sure that self-determination piece is what we strive for.”
Views on Zionism
Asked if she herself views Zionism as racist, Ms Mackay said the “realisation” of Zionism – the Israeli Government’s offensive in Gaza and the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank – is.
“I don’t think anybody can look at what’s happening in Gaza and the West Bank at the moment and not see that the realisation of that political ideology is racist.
“It’s resulted in the displacement of millions of Palestinians, the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, and I don’t think anybody looking at the situation objectively could come to any other conclusion.”
The Scottish Greens, who will meet for their annual conference in Inverness next weekend, will not have a similar debate, Ms Mackay said.
