Green Party Leader Faces Backlash Over Anti-Zionist Stance

Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party and byelection candidate for Holborn and St Pancras, faced boos and heckling at a Jewish community hustings after declaring himself an anti-Zionist. Polanski argued that Zionism constitutes a form of racism because of the genocide and displacement of Palestinians, though he maintained that criticizing the Israeli government and the occupation of Palestinian land is not antisemitic.

The incident occurs as the Green Party prepares for its annual conference. Party members are scheduled to vote on a motion that would officially declare Zionism a form of racism and call for a single democratic Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

While the motion is pending, Polanski is reportedly supporting amendments to the language. These changes aim to include safeguards for Jewish party members who identify as Zionists to prevent internal splits and avoid alienating supporters.