Jewish Greens - Revision history

David: /* Key Structural & Constitutional Changes */

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Key Structural & Constitutional Changes

David: /* Antisemitism training */

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Antisemitism training

David: /* Purpose and Core Functions */

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Purpose and Core Functions

David: /* Officers and Known Members */

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Officers and Known Members

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Officers and Known Members

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Officers and Known Members

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Officers and Known Members

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Antisemitism training

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 ===Key Structural & Constitutional Changes===
 The Single-Role Rule: At the 26 October 2025 AGM, a constitutional amendment was passed stating "Individuals may only hold one officer role." This clarifies why historical overlapping roles (like Jo Bird or Sam Alston serving as Co-Secretaries alongside primary roles) are no longer permitted. Non-Portfolio Cap: The same AGM amended the constitution to add: "The number of non-portfolio officers shall not exceed four."
 == External links ==

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	[[File:GPexedMW8AAdaVq.jpeg\|thumb\|right\|400px\|[[Ami Ayalon]] speaks at a [[Yachad]] and [[Jewish Greens]] meeting. June 2024]]		[[File:GPexedMW8AAdaVq.jpeg\|thumb\|right\|400px\|[[Ami Ayalon]] speaks at a [[Yachad]] and [[Jewish Greens]] meeting. June 2024]]
		+	== Key Initiatives and Activities ==
		+
		+	The Jewish Greens run regular members’ meetings, speaker panels, annual [[Holocaust Memorial Day]] commemorations, and collaborative events. They frequently host public-facing and internal discussions exploring the evolving relationship between British Jewish communities and Israel, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, faith-based environmentalism, and tactics to counter the far right.
		+
		+	The group also frequently issues solidarity actions and joint statements with other GPEW liberation frameworks—such as the [[Muslim Greens]] and [[Humanist Greens]]—to stand firmly against divisive politics, [[Islamophobia]], and antisemitism within local communities.
		+	== Opposition to the “Zionism is Racism” Motion ==
		+
		+	In February 2026, '''Jewish Greens''' published a detailed statement urging [[Green Party of England and Wales]] members to vote against motion A105, which proposed equating Zionism with racism. The group argued that adopting the motion would be both politically counterproductive and harmful to the party’s broader anti-racism efforts.<ref name="JewishGreensStatement">Jewish Greens, London, "Why Jewish Greens are urging party members to vote against A105", 12 February 2026, https://jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2026/02/12/why-jewish-greens-are-urging-party-members-to-vote-against-a105/</ref>
		+
		+	They wrote: “Equating Zionism with racism does not help the Palestinian cause; it actually damages it by alienating many Jews who support Palestinian rights and a just peace.” The statement further warned that the motion risked “conflating legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies with antisemitism,” thereby undermining the party’s credibility on fighting all forms of racism.<ref name="JewishGreensStatement"/>
		+
		+	Jewish Greens emphasised the importance of coalition-building, stating: “We need broad coalitions to effectively combat racism in all its forms, including antisemitism. This motion makes that harder, not easier.” They added that many Jewish members who actively support Palestinian self-determination and oppose the occupation nevertheless reject the blanket equation of Zionism with racism, describing it as “a political strategy that divides rather than unites those committed to justice.”<ref name="JewishGreensStatement"/>
		+
		+	The group concluded that passing the motion would “alienate a significant section of Jewish members who share the party’s values on equality, human rights and opposition to all racism,” and urged members to reject it in favour of more nuanced approaches to the Israel-Palestine conflict.<ref name="JewishGreensStatement"/>
		+
		+	=== Criticism of Jewish Greens' position ===
		+
		+	The group's stance drew sharp criticism from pro-Palestine members and factions within the Green Party, who accused Jewish Greens of prioritising Zionist sensitivities over Palestinian rights and of undermining the party's anti-racism commitments. Critics labelled the opposition as "sabotage" that shielded Israel from legitimate scrutiny.<ref name="GreenLeftCritic">Green Left, "Jewish Greens accused of sabotaging anti-Zionism motion", 20 February 2026, https://greenleft.org.uk/2026/02/20/jewish-greens-sabotage-a105/</ref>
		+
		+	=== Tactics to block discussion ===
		+
		+	At the Green Party Spring Conference 2026, Jewish Greens members actively supported procedural moves that prevented substantive debate on motion A105. Multiple no-confidence motions were tabled against the conference chair, each requiring lengthy votes and discussion; these consumed the entire allocated time slot, effectively filibustering the motion and ensuring it was never voted on.<ref name="ConferenceReport">Green Party of England and Wales, official conference report, "Spring Conference 2026 motions update", March 2026, https://greenparty.org.uk/conference-reports/spring-2026/</ref> Independent observers noted that Jewish Greens delegates coordinated with other groups to prolong these procedural interventions.<ref name="PSCStatement">Palestine Solidarity Campaign, "Green Party motion on Zionism blocked by filibuster", 15 March 2026, https://palestinecampaign.org.uk/green-party-a105-filibuster/</ref>

	==People==		==People==

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 The Jewish Greens describe themselves as united against all forms of racism, including [[antisemitism]], and advocate for a welcoming, human-rights-based approach to both policy and practice within the wider political party.
-== Purpose and Core Functions ==
+== History ==
 According to the group's official constitution, the Jewish Greens operates to fulfill specific educational, advisory, and protective functions:<ref>[https://jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/constitution/ Jewish Greens Constitution] access-date=2026-05-25</ref>

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−	\| [[Jake Sharpstone]] \|\| Jewish Greens activist \|\| Brighton & Hove Green Party council candidate (Westdene & Hove Park, 2023; unelected)<ref>https://brightonhovegreens.org</ref> (listed on 2025 motions/amendments)<ref>Recognition of Israeli ‘Apartheid’, Israel’s ‘Genocide’ and Supporting the BDS Movement in Communications - Amendments - [[Andree Frieze]], [[Elise Benjamin]], [[Mark Strong]], [[Jake Sharpstone]], [[Robert Davis]] - SOC Note: the following amendment was found to be Out of Order for tending to negate the original motion. https://greencoordinate.co.uk</ref>	+	\| [[Jake Sharpstone]] \|\| Jewish Greens activist \|\| Brighton & Hove Green Party council candidate (Westdene & Hove Park, 2023; unelected)<ref>https://brightonhovegreens.org</ref> (listed on 2025 motions/amendments)<ref>Recognition of Israeli ‘Apartheid’, Israel’s ‘Genocide’ and Supporting the BDS Movement in Communications - Amendments - [[Andree Frieze]], [[Elise Benjamin]], [[Mark Strong]], [[Jake Sharpstone]], [[Robert Davis]] - SOC Note: the following amendment was found to be Out of Order for tending to negate the original motion. https://www.greencoordinate.co.uk/motions/recognition-of-israeli-apartheid-israel-s-genocide-and-supporting-the-bds-movement-in-communications/</ref>
	\|-		\|-

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−	\| [[Zack Polanski]] \|\| Treasurer 2019 – 1 October 2024 \|\| Outgoing treasurer by 22 May 2024.<ref>'Our outgoing treasurer, Zack Polanski, partly through his secondary role as Deputy Leader, has also been busy attending Jewish community events, including events at [[JW3]] the Jewish community centre. He was also booked as a key Friday night speaker for [[Limmud]], the major Jewish community conference held over the Christmas period. https://greencoordinate.co.uk</ref> Later elected Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales.	+	\| [[Zack Polanski]] \|\| Treasurer 2019 – 1 October 2024 \|\| Outgoing treasurer by 22 May 2024.<ref>'Our outgoing treasurer, Zack Polanski, partly through his secondary role as Deputy Leader, has also been busy attending Jewish community events, including events at [[JW3]] the Jewish community centre. He was also booked as a key Friday night speaker for [[Limmud]], the major Jewish community conference held over the Christmas period. https://www.greencoordinate.co.uk/motions/jewish-greens/</ref> Later elected Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales.
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 ! Name !! Role !! Notes
 |-
-| [[Vivien Lichtenstein]] || Chair; Membership officer 2022, 2023<ref>[[Jewish Greens]] [https://archive.org Officers], 19 January 2022</ref> || Active; long-standing peace and human rights activist. Re-elected to the singular Chair role following the October 2025 AGM rule update limiting officers to one executive post.
+| [[Vivien Lichtenstein]] || Chair; Membership officer 2022, 2023<ref>[[Jewish Greens]] [https://web.archive.org/web/20220119082107/https://jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/people/ Officers], Retrieved from the Internet Archive of 19 January 2022</ref> || Active; long-standing peace and human rights activist. Re-elected to the singular Chair role following the October 2025 AGM rule update limiting officers to one executive post.
 |-

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-'''Jewish Greens''' is an official special interest group and "liberation group" network within the [[Green Party of England and Wales]] (GPEW). It provides a dedicated space for Jewish members to meet, educate themselves and others, organise, and offer mutual support. The group also advises local parties and national Green Party bodies on Jewish belief and practice, raises awareness of distinct Jewish issues, and serves as the primary point of contact for external Jewish communal organisations.<ref>[https://greenparty.org.uk Jewish Greens Official Website] access-date=2026-05-25</ref>
+'''Jewish Greens''' is an official special interest group and "liberation group" network within the [[Green Party of England and Wales]] (GPEW). It provides a dedicated space for Jewish members to meet, educate themselves and others, organise, and offer mutual support. The group also advises local parties and national Green Party bodies on Jewish belief and practice, raises awareness of distinct Jewish issues, and serves as the primary point of contact for external Jewish communal organisations.<ref>[https://jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/ Jewish Greens Official Website] access-date=2026-05-25</ref>
 The Jewish Greens describe themselves as united against all forms of racism, including [[antisemitism]], and advocate for a welcoming, human-rights-based approach to both policy and practice within the wider political party.
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 == Purpose and Core Functions ==
-According to the group's official constitution, the Jewish Greens operates to fulfill specific educational, advisory, and protective functions:<ref>[https://greenparty.org.ukconstitution/ Jewish Greens Constitution] access-date=2026-05-25</ref>
+According to the group's official constitution, the Jewish Greens operates to fulfill specific educational, advisory, and protective functions:<ref>[https://jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/constitution/ Jewish Greens Constitution] access-date=2026-05-25</ref>
 * '''Educational Authority:''' It acts as the primary resource to educate wider Green Party bodies about Jews, Jewish culture, and Judaism.
 * '''Calendar and Scheduling Advocacy:''' The group works directly with the GPEW Conferences Committee and Party Council to review scheduling, ensuring that leadership hustings, local elections, and national party conferences do not clash with Jewish High Holidays.

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−	\| [[Mark Strong]] \|\| Activist in the Jewish Greens \|\| Brighton & Hove Green Party member (@MarkStrongQP), transport planning consultant. Stood as a 2023 council candidate in Queen's Park<ref>Green candidate Mark Strong, 61, is a transport planning consultant. He is on Twitter @markstrongqp. He said: “I’ve been active in local community groups for 30 years and have extensive experience of working with councils across the UK on transport and planning...https://brightonandhovenews.org</ref> and co-optee on the 7 October memorial group.<ref>During the meeting, local Labour party councillor Ty Goddard expressed his concerns for how “humane and human” the proposed policy was, whilst Mark Strong, a Green party member...https://jewishnews.co.uk</ref>	+	\| [[Mark Strong]] \|\| Activist in the Jewish Greens \|\| Brighton & Hove Green Party member (@MarkStrongQP), transport planning consultant. Stood as a 2023 council candidate in Queen's Park<ref>Green candidate Mark Strong, 61, is a transport planning consultant. He is on Twitter @markstrongqp. He said: “I’ve been active in local community groups for 30 years and have extensive experience of working with councils across the UK on transport and planning...https://brightonandhovenews.org</ref> and co-optee on the 7 October memorial group.<ref>During the meeting, local Labour party councillor Ty Goddard expressed his concerns for how “humane and human” the proposed policy was, whilst Mark Strong, a Green party member...https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/7-october-memorial-group-responds-to-new-brighton-hove-council-tribute-crackdown/</ref>
	\|-		\|-

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 The groups says it has given training to:
 [[Green Party Executive Committee]] | [[Young Greens]] | [[Bristol Green Party]] | [[Brighton Green Party]] | [[Hackney Green Party]] | [[Kettering Green Party]] | [[York Green Party]].<ref>https://jewishgreens.greenparty.org.uk/2021/10/26/879/</ref>
 ==People==

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		+	'''Jewish Greens''' is an official special interest group and "liberation group" network within the [[Green Party of England and Wales]] (GPEW). It provides a dedicated space for Jewish members to meet, educate themselves and others, organise, and offer mutual support. The group also advises local parties and national Green Party bodies on Jewish belief and practice, raises awareness of distinct Jewish issues, and serves as the primary point of contact for external Jewish communal organisations.<ref>[https://greenparty.org.uk Jewish Greens Official Website] access-date=2026-05-25</ref>
		+
		+	The Jewish Greens describe themselves as united against all forms of racism, including [[antisemitism]], and advocate for a welcoming, human-rights-based approach to both policy and practice within the wider political party.
		+
	== Purpose and Core Functions ==		== Purpose and Core Functions ==