Board of Deputies declares Polanski's Greens a 'racist party' by 118 votes to one over 'Zionism is racism' policy
Zack Polanski, Green Party politician, whose party British Jewry's main representative body says it will now treat the same way it once treated the National Front.
Britain's largest Jewish representative body is calling on all other parties to rule out coalition arrangements with the Greens unless local Green leaders abandon the policy. Board president Phil Rosenberg said the stance 'gives prejudice against Jews a political licence'. Labour has already warned the Green groups it shares local power with to drop the motion or face losing its backing. The Greens reject the Board's 'characterisation' of their party.
The Board last designated a party racist when it campaigned against the National Front in the 1970s.
Greens say the ruling will not deter them from pushing for stronger sanctions on Israel.
Hendon deputy Ashley Hirst, who proposed the motion: 'The time for asking nicely has passed.'
