Green Party Faces Internal Strife Over Zionism Motion
Zack Polanski's stance and party conference vote spark calls for resignation and review of decision-making processes.
Sarah Connor
Zack Polanski refused to state that Israel has a right to exist.
Approximately 1,000 members voted for the motion, with 800 against.
Vivien Lichtenstein, leader of the Jewish Greens, demands Polanski's resignation. She considers leaving the party. Lichtenstein stated that Polanski made a 'big mistake' by missing a debate about the motion.
Polanski made a 'big mistake' by missing a debate about the motion.
An Ipsos poll, conducted online between October 9 and 13, surveyed 2,257 British adults. It found 52% of the public held an unfavourable view of Zack Polanski, with his overall rating falling to minus 36. Opposition to Polanski concentrates among older groups.
Polanski branded Zionism a 'racist ideology' responsible for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. He claimed the ideology supporting a Jewish homeland was synonymous with 'basic colonialism and racism' in Gaza and the West Bank.
Polanski further stated that when the murder of Palestinians is considered, it is 'very obviously a racist ideology'. He insisted that while people might think Zionism means something else, its practical application has come at the cost of the Palestinian people.
Zack Polanski indicated that When the murder of Palestinians is considered, it is 'very obviously a racist ideology'. While people might think Zionism means something else, its practical application has come at the cost of the Palestinian people.
He expressed a desire for equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians, noting that the practical application of Zionism has not achieved this. Polanski also insisted his party's motion describing Zionism as racism is not controversial, though he said he would only have supported an amended motion.
Due to party rules, the motion cannot be amended until 2028, Polanski stated. The Labour Party issued an ultimatum to local Green groups regarding the motion.
Green MPs, including Ellie Chowns, called for a review of the party's member-led decision-making procedures. The Green Party also faced scrutiny over Polanski's tax affairs and a public spat with the police.
Polanski suffered defeat at the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. The Green Party's poll numbers declined recently after an earlier increase.