The Green Party are conducting their Spring Conference online and issues appear to be aplenty. Specifically, it appears that insecure voting practices are now being employed which has raised concern amongst voters.
In response, Eleanora Folan — of Stats for Lefties — has called for a vote of no confidence in the chair of the Green Party Conference. This concern regarding the security of internal democracy follows a motion raised to rule E12 Zionism is Racism as out of order. If successful, this will prevent the ability to be able to discuss or vote on this crucial motion.
The motion ‘Zionism is racism’ reflects a growing call — from both Palestinian and Jewish members — to confront Zionism as an inherently discriminatory ideology. In the context of the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, they argue it is time to name and challenge the system of deep inequality they see at its core.
After all, there is a precedence for this. The UN General Assembly passed resolution 3379 in 1975 which declared Zionism as a form of racism. However, it was later revoked in 1991 after the US became the unchallenged hegemon of the world.
Green Party — ‘Plan B’ not good enough
Nevertheless, voting issues on the centralised system, which appears to either be overloaded by traffic or under sabotage from rogue actors, has stalled the process. Suggesting an alternative ‘Plan B’, according to chair Geraldine Coggins, members instead are asked to vote by ‘raising a hand’ on Zoom.
Concerns soon followed, but Coggins dismissed them and stated that this was indeed secure and to be trusted.
Folan challenged this, tabling a vote of no confidence and arguing that Zoom was not secure enough to reliably determine support for such a landmark motion. This comes as the motion itself has faced sustained attempts to undermine it, with pro-Zionist members both within and outside the Green Party accused of trying to derail its chances.
Folan strongly argued her position:
Chair is attempting to hold an illegitimate and insecure vote on an amendment of great consequence, and I do not believe that the chair is showing neutrality or an unbiased position.
They have repeatedly made clear their preference for certain outcomes and we are now attempting to hold a vote on a materially important amendment by use of raise of hands over an insecure zoom link that anyone can join and does not have to verify that you are a party member, or that you paid to attend conference.
We need a chair who will have the courage to delay votes to ensure that they are secure especially given that … we are currently experiencing a service attack on the voting website.
Not secure whatsoever
After hearing these allegations, we sought to test it ourselves. Sending our magic link to a non-Green Party member, they were able to access the system as claimed by Folan. In fact, they were able to enter their own name and allowed access. This has also been further verified by another Canary journalist.
Therefore, it is undeniable that this vote is not secure via Zoom. Rather than allowing the process to be frustrated due to potentially malign actors, the Green Party should maintain its original plan and keep E12 “Zionism is Racism” on the agenda.
As Lubna Speitan highlighted on the call, Palestinians are being erased by Zionists and those who support them. This motion must absolutely be heard, and tactics to frustrate democracy within the Green Party must be resisted.
Thankfully, the Green Party appears to have repaired issues with the online voting system. Subsequently, during the drafting of this article, members successfully voted with 585 against ruling E12 out of order.
The chair also won her vote of no confidence, with Coggins remaining in her position.
Now, a vote will be seen to bring the motion “Zionism is Racism” up in the order.
In fact, whilst moves were made to prevent E12, a subsequent motion raised to bring this antizionist policy up the agenda to ensure it has sufficient time for members to vote won by a landslide. This reflects the clear majority of Green Party members are supportive of moving forward as an anti-Zionist political party.
Featured image via Left Foot Forward
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