Archbishop urged to ban Church clergy joining Greens over 'Zionism is racism' vote

Archbishop urged to ban Church clergy joining Greens over 'Zionism is racism' vote The Archbishop of Canterbury faces demands to ban C of E clergy from joining the Green Party after its conference voted to class Zionism as racism. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Aaron Newbury , Political Correspondent 18:10, Tue, Oct 6, 2026 Updated: 18:11, Tue, Oct 6, 2026 Archbishop facing calls to bar clergy from joining the Green Party (Image: Getty) The Archbishop of Canterbury is facing calls to bar clergy from joining the Green Party after it passed a motion declaring that "Zionism is racism". The Most Rev Dame Sarah Mullally faces mounting pressure to act as critics blast her silence. Lambeth Palace has not spoken on the matter, despite the Church of England already banning its clergy from joining parties it deems at odds with its teaching on race. Despite repeated approaches from the Express, the Church refused to say whether it would impose a ban. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT In 2014, the Church declared the BNP and the National Front “incompatible with the teaching of the Church of England” on the “equality of persons or groups of different races”. Clergy who join or back either party face disciplinary action and could be defrocked. The Green motion states that Zionism will be “treated as any other form of racism” and dealt with through the party’s existing anti-racism procedures. Jewish Greens, a group within the party, had warned the motion could force Jewish members to “choose between their party membership and being a member of their Jewish community”. Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . Kemi Badenoch's just had a brilliant idea - it will have UK layabouts begging to work The Rev Marcus Walker branded the new policy as “shockingly antisemitic”. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT He said: “The House of Bishops have rightly placed the BNP and the National Front on the list of parties which clergy may not support; they have an obligation to add the Greens to this list until they reverse this shameful policy.” Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev Philip North, said: “Like so many others, I am alarmed by the decision made by the Green Party and, in particular, the impact it will have on a beleaguered UK Jewish population who are already suffering alarming and growing levels of antisemitism." He did not call for a ban on clergy membership, but added: "I find it deeply sad that a party that was founded to address the climate crisis appears to have drifted so far from its core values. “The decision is a new one and needs to be absorbed. But doubtless I am one of many Christian leaders who, with our commitment to building cohesive communities, will be reflecting on the compatibility of this decision with the Gospel.” Polanski: 'Under my leadership, no-one will be made unwelcome' (Image: Getty) Commenting online, Rev Peter Ould said that “the Church of England (rightly) forbids its clergy to be members of the BNP”. He warned it was still “perfectly acceptable for clergy to be members of a party that is opposed to self-determination for a particular ethnic group and actually endorses terrorist attacks on them”. Mr Ould added: “The clock is ticking on the House of Bishops to speak out.” Israel ’s foreign ministry branded the Greens “a body that gives legitimacy to terrorism” and urged “every political party in Britain” to “unequivocally reject this twisted resolution”. In a statement, Mr Polanski said: “Antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli state are, and must always be, completely distinct – blurring the line between the two is not only wrong but antisemitic, and makes Jewish people less safe.” He added: “Under my leadership, no one will be made unwelcome because of their background, their faith, or where they worship.” Green Party anti-semitism Church of England Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments