SCOTTISH GREENS: ‘RACIST ZIONISM’
SCOTLAND’S FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon is being urged to clarify her government’s position after it emerged that the SNP’s power-sharing partners, the Scottish Greens, believe Zionism is a “racist ideology” and that Hamas is not a terrorist organisation.
Antisemitism campaigners voiced concerns that the Greens were now in power in Scotland and Scottish Conservatives called on the First Minister to condemn the “shameful stance”.
The Scottish government adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism in full in 2018 but the policy of its new junior partner appears to be a breach of that definition.
Policy Motion 2, voted through by Scottish Greens in 2015, has never been rescinded. It was debated and voted on at conference on a Saturday, excluding participation by observant Jews.
It condemns Israel’s claim to be the Jewish state and brands Zionism a “racist ideology based on Jewish supremacy in Palestine”. It accuses Israel of being an “apartheid” state.
It goes on to demand Israel repeal its law of return for Jews, while backing the right of return for all Palestinian Arabs and their descendants.
These views will be abhorrent to the Jewish community
It declares that Hamas should no longer be designated as a terrorist organisation and offers its support for the anti-Israel BDS boycott movement.
Jackson Carlaw, whose Eastwood constituency is home to a sizeable Jewish population, branded the Greens’ position “a disgrace”. The Conservative MSP said: “They have backed positions that appear to be contrary to the IHRA definition. Nicola Sturgeon has to distance her government from this shameful stance. This kind of outrageous rhetoric from the Greens has no place in 21st century Scotland. It doesn’t belong anywhere near the Scottish government and should be stamped out. Scotland’s Jewish community needs to hear an unequivocal condemnation of the Greens’ position and assurances that the government does not support these extreme views.”
The cooperation agreement between the SNP and the Scottish Greens ensures two ministerial roles for the junior party and bolsters the First Minister’s case for independence.
It is understood the unity pact does not cover international relations. This would suggest the Greens are still free to promote their views without undermining the duty of collective responsibility for governance.
Joe Glasman, head of political investigation at the Campaign Against Antisemitism, said the views of some of those power would be “abhorrent” to all those opposed to racism. He added: “The party’s rise to national prominence in Scotland demands immediate review of its position on Zionism, aliyah and Hamas. With the privilege of government comes the responsibility to govern on behalf of all Scotland, including its minorities.”
The Scottish Green Party told the JC: “We abhor antisemitism. There is absolutely no place for any anti-Jewish prejudice in society. Green politics is rooted in environmentalism, peace, social justice and democracy. Our party’s position on international affairs, including Palestine and Israel, is guided by these pillars. We will continue to raise our voice in support of a human rights based outcome that allows everyone in the region to live in peace, free from oppression or occupation.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We remain absolutely committed to action to address antisemitism, which is utterly unacceptable. There is no place for it in Scotland.”