Lucy Galvin issued a statement saying she and her cabinet were "opposed" to the view, which critics have described as "an attack on the Jewish community".

However, she is now facing a growing rebellion from fellow Green councillors who support the motion, which was passed by a vote at the party's conference last weekend.

Bliss Wylie, councillor for Thorpe Hamlet, accused Ms Galvin of "steamrollering" her statement through and called on the leader to resign.

The councillor said there were "numerous" colleagues at City Hall who agreed with the view that Zionism - the belief in a Jewish homeland, which is shared by most British Jews - was racist.

The Green accused Ms Galvin of forcing through a “unilateral statement” in the face of “significant opposition” within the party group.

The Thorpe Hamlet representative is the second to indicate their support for the motion after Amber Smith, who represents Bowthorpe, did so on social media earlier in the week.

In an Instagram post, councillor Wylie said: "It is with regret that I withdraw my support from the administration led by Lucy Galvin and call on her to resign.

"Lucy has chosen to release a statement on behalf of cabinet opposing the Zionism is Racism........

© Eastern Daily Press