Green Party leader Zack Polanski defended his leadership following a party conference motion defining Zionism as racism, a by-election loss in London, and subsequent referrals to human rights regulators as senior figures clash over the fallout.
Zack Polanski Vows to Remain Leader After by-Election Defeat
Speaking early Friday morning after finishing second in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election behind Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali, Polanski insisted that he would stay on as leader despite losing the contest in the seat vacated by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Although Polanski fell short of overturning the Labour majority—which was reduced from 11,572 to 3,364—he pointed to rapid organizational expansion to counter claims that he had lost control of the movement.
When pressed on whether he personally agreed that Zionism is racism, Polanski—who is Jewish—described his personal evolution away from views he held growing up in a Zionist household. He pointed to what he called an ongoing genocide and the displacement of the Palestinian people, maintaining that those actions are racist. Israel has repeatedly rejected genocide accusations, calling South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice wholly unfounded and based on biased claims.
Four MPs Reject Conference Resolution and Criticize Leadership
The conference resolution immediately fractured the party’s parliamentary group. Four of the party’s five MPs—including Ellie Chowns, Sian Berry, and former co-leaders Adrian Ramsay and Carla Denyer—publicly rejected the motion. Former leader Caroline Lucas criticized Polanski for failing to vote or take part in the Brighton debate, describing the resolution as dangerous and divisive while telling the BBC that the jury remains out on whether Polanski can provide necessary leadership.
Adrian Ramsay, who preceded Polanski as co-leader, refused to rule out resigning over the motion. Meanwhile, the political fallout extended beyond Westminster as the Campaign Against Antisemitism referred the party to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, alleging unlawful discrimination against Jewish members under the Equality Act 2010. The chief executives of the Board of Deputies, Community Security Trust, and Jewish Leadership Council had previously written to Green Party leaders ahead of the conference airing their concerns and referring back to a warning issued earlier in the year. Rabbi Charley Baginsky and Rabbi Josh Levy stated that by adopting the motion, the Green Party made antisemitism party policy and became a racist party. The vote also led to the resignation of the Green deputy leader in Wales and condemnation from the European Green Party.
Political Leaders Condemn Resolution as Foreign Minister Announces Response
The resolution drew swift rebukes from across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the decision completely wrong and indicative of terrible judgement, telling reporters in Berlin that the platform effectively rules out a two-state solution. Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson and Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp also condemned the platform, with Philp arguing that British Jews should not have to disclaim a belief in Jewish self-determination to find acceptance in a UK political party.
In response to the vote, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that Zack Polanski is barred from entering Israel, pointing to a resolution that Israeli officials argue calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. Polanski insisted that nobody will be excluded in the Green Party based on faith or religion as leadership attempts to manage the deepening crisis.
