Updated

Conservative and Labour councillors on Westminster City Council are preparing a joint motion stating that Zionism is not racism, ahead of a full council vote on Wednesday. Middle East Eye reported the plan, which was proposed by Conservative councillor Hannah Galley and seconded by Labour councillor David Boothroyd. The Conservatives hold a majority on the council. The motion responds to a Green Party motion, adopted last month, declaring Zionism a form of racism. It describes Zionism as the belief that Jewish people have the right to national self-determination in their historic homeland, and says it forms part of many British Jews' identity. It also commits the council to a review within six months of its equality and community cohesion training and policies, to keep them consistent with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism. The motion is drafted to cite that definition's example of claiming that Israel's existence is racist. The definition's lead author has partly disowned it, which Middle East Eye reported. A legal notice from independent political consultant Gary Spedding, seen by Middle East Eye, warns that passing the motion could breach the council's duties under the Equality Act 2010 toward Palestinian, Arab and Muslim residents. Middle East Eye said the council had not responded to its request for comment.