Liberal Democrat MP hits out at "irresponsible and deeply insensitive" Green Party Zionism motion

Responding to the news that the Green Party of England and Wales have today (4th October) passed a motion at their conference declaring Zionism to be a form of racism, Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton and Cheam, and Frontbench Spokesperson for London, Luke Taylor, said: 

“The motion passed today at Green Party Conference actively undermines a two-state solution, and does not address the rising threats of Islamophobia and Antisemitism here in the UK.

“This is a divisive motion that pours fuel on the fire of tensions in the UK, and will leave many British Jews feeling less safe. It is irresponsible and deeply insensitive for the Greens to play politics with an issue as sensitive as this one. 

“This policy conflates British Jews attending synagogues with the most extreme positions of the Israeli far right, and will cause concern throughout the Jewish community here in Britain. I want all our Jewish friends and neighbours to know that the Liberal Democrats hear your concerns and condemn this Green Party policy.

“It should go without saying that to conflate all Jews with the extremists in the Israeli cabinet, in the same way as comparing all Muslims with the extremists in Hamas, is utterly wrong.

“The Liberal Democrats have led the way in calling for the recognition of a Palestinian State,  full accountability for war crimes, an end to all arms sales and pushing for sanctions on Israeli settlers to preserve the routes to achieve a two-state solution for long term peace in the Middle East.

“To those that joined the Green Party thinking it was a political movement that cared about the environment and tackling the climate crisis - you are welcome in the Liberal Democrats.”