Ex-Welsh Green Party deputy quits over pointless Zionism motion
Rhods Davies, former Welsh Green Party deputy leader, has resigned following a controversial Zionism motion and suggested splitting from the English party.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Rhods Davies has resigned as deputy leader of the Welsh Green Party
- He criticized the party's newly passed motion on Zionism as pointless
- Davies suggested Welsh members should split from the English Green Party
- First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth labeled the Green policy as ill-judged
Rhods Davies, the former deputy leader of the Welsh Green Party, has stepped down from his position, stating that he wanted no association with the party's recent policy motion regarding Zionism. In an Instagram post, Davies expressed deep frustration, noting that he had not been treated with respect or given adequate support from the Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW).
The contentious motion, which was passed at a party conference to establish official party policy, called for a single democratic Palestinian state across historic Palestine, incorporating modern-day Israel. Davies stated that he often felt like a token figure whose complaints were ignored by the central GPEW leadership.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Following his resignation, Davies revealed that Welsh Green leader Anthony Slaughter—who was diagnosed with cancer last month—had sent him a supportive message. Davies described Slaughter as a close friend, though he added that he personally disagrees with elected officials resigning from a party while retaining their seats in the Senedd.
In light of the policy dispute, Davies suggested that Welsh members of the party should seriously consider cutting ties with the Green Party of England and Wales (GPEW) to stand independently as a dedicated Welsh political force.
This internal friction within the Welsh Green Party highlights the complex challenges smaller political parties face when navigating highly polarized international geopolitics at a regional level. The friction between regional branches and central UK-wide leadership demonstrates how foreign policy debates can trigger severe organizational strain and calls for structural separation, as seen with Davies' proposal for an independent Welsh green entity.
In response to the fallout, GPEW leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, reissued a statement clarifying that he would never accept the exclusion of any member based on their religious or communal background. He also emphasized that antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli state must remain entirely distinct.
Meanwhile, Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth addressed the Senedd on Tuesday, describing the Green Party policy as ill-judged. Ap Iorwerth reaffirmed his long-standing support for a two-state solution and declared that he stands shoulder to shoulder with Jewish communities in Wales.
Source: BBC Politics
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment