Zack Polanski Seeks Green Party Reform After Zionism Vote

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for a reform of the party's grassroots democratic structures following a divisive conference vote in Brighton. The motion, which passed 1,022 to 813, declared Zionism a form of racism and backed a single Palestinian state. The decision was opposed by four of the party's five MPs and criticized by the European Green party.

Polanski, who is Jewish, expressed agreement with the motion's substance regarding Palestinian displacement but argued that political parties should not define members' beliefs or dictate the future of Israel and Palestine. He apologized for his absence during the vote, citing his focus on the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. While the Green Party tripled its vote share in that contest, Polanski ultimately lost the seat to Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali.

The internal conflict has led Vivien Lichtenstein, chair of Jewish Greens, to call for Polanski's resignation, citing a lack of leadership during the Zionism row. Polanski has rejected these calls, pledging to combat antisemitism and arguing that the party's rapid growth requires giving leaders more responsibility for strategic direction to prevent a small minority of activists from dominating policymaking.

Beyond internal disputes, Polanski criticized Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government for failing to address rising rent increases and energy bills.