Key Points
- Greenwich Council members unanimously passed a bipartisan motion on Wednesday, November 11, supporting Jewish residents and workers in the borough.
- The decision marks the second time within a single week that a London local authority has refused to pass the Green Party’s ‘Zionism is racism’ motion.
- The passed submission formally recognises the deep concern caused within Jewish communities following testimonies from local Jewish residents regarding their experiences of antisemitism.
- Lubna Speitan, the proposer of the Green Party motion, attended the Greenwich Council meeting and saw her proposal rejected.
- During the public question session, Lubna Speitan maintained that motions tabled by Labour would not alter the Green Party’s democratically passed policy or her characterisation of Zionism.
Greenwich (South London News) November 14, 2026 – A second London council has refused to pass the Green Party’s ‘Zionism is racism’ motion within the same week, instead approving a bipartisan show of support for Jewish people living and working in the borough.
What Decision Did Greenwich Council Make Regarding the Green Party Motion?
During a council meeting held on Wednesday, November 11, Greenwich Council members voted unanimously to pass an alternative submission rather than adopting the Green Party’s proposal. The approved text explicitly recognises “the deep concern this motion has caused within Jewish communities” across the area.
Prior to the unanimous vote, councillors heard directly from local Jewish residents who attended the session to describe their personal experiences of antisemitism. In response to the anxieties raised by those living and working in the borough who have been troubled by the Green Party’s stance, the council established a cross-party consensus to reject the original proposal.
How Did the Proposer of the Green Party Motion Respond at the Meeting?
Lubna Speitan, who put forward the Green Party motion, was present in the chamber on Wednesday to witness her proposal being robustly rejected by the council members.
Addressing the chamber during a public question segment of the proceedings, Lubna Speitan defended the validity of her party’s position despite the opposition from the local authority. Lubna Speitan stated that
“Whatever motion Labour tables will not change the fact that Zionism is racist or that Green Party members passed this policy democratically.”
Background
The debate within Greenwich Council follows a broader political dispute stemming from a policy position adopted by members of the Green Party characterising Zionism as racism. The introduction of this stance into local government chambers has prompted pushback from municipal representatives and community members across the capital, with Greenwich becoming the second London local authority within a seven-day period to formally reject the motion and reaffirm support for local Jewish populations.
Prediction
This development is expected to directly affect local Jewish communities, municipal councillors, and Green Party representatives operating within London boroughs. For Jewish residents and workers in Greenwich and neighbouring areas, the unanimous, bipartisan backing from local authorities provides formal institutional reassurance against antisemitism at the municipal level. Conversely, for Green Party proposers and activists seeking to pass similar motions in other London councils, the consecutive rejections within a single week indicate a unified cross-party resistance in local government that is likely to block similar proposals from gaining municipal traction.
