Labour threatens Greens with ‘urgent’ ultimatum after Zack Polanski commits to ‘antisemitic’ policy

At the same time, the Prime Minister also ruled out power-sharing arrangements with the Greens despite three councils – Sheffield, Lewes and Warwick – being in coalition with Mr Polanski’s party.

And, in more than 10 other areas, Labour runs the authority alongside the left-wing party as part of a wider coalition.

Now, Mr Burnham’s local parties have been instructed to pen a “clear and unambiguous statement” to their Green counterparts to state that they reject the “Zionism is racism” policy.

The Greens have been handed a seven-day deadline to condemn the motion and call on their leader to rethink the decision.

If the conditions are not met, local power-sharing arrangements will end, Labour said.

During Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative MP Dame Harriett Baldwin urged the PM to rule out “co-operating” with the Green Party.

Mr Burnham replied: “Can I condemn the motion that was passed unequivocally.

“It is wrong, it is antisemitic, and this side of the House will have nothing to do with it.

“We will always take the right response when it comes to any partnerships we have with other parties.

“We cannot support a partnership with a party that holds the position that has recently been adopted.”

Hitting back at the Prime Minister, Mr Polanski said that the “blurring of challenging Israel and antisemitism” was “dangerous and irresponsible”.

He said: “I’m the only Jewish leader of a political party. I’m a victim of antisemitism every day and I’ve made it clear Jewish people are welcome in my party.

“You’re a prime minister who arms a genocide and locks pensioners up for opposing it.”

Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s Chair, said: “Where local Labour Parties currently have an arrangement with the Greens in local government, we expect their Green counterparts to make clear that they reject this position and to call on their national leadership to reconsider the policy.

“This isn’t an issue of party politics; it’s about doing what is right and upholding the values anyone holding public office should share.”

A Green Party spokesman said: “For the Labour Government to conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism is disappointing and wrong.

“Trying to tell local parties what to do and who they can work with is undemocratic.

“Whilst Labour continue to try to meddle in our internal democracy, arm a genocide and lock up protesting pensioners, we will not take lectures from them.”