Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, has said that Zionism in its current form is racist and that no country has a right to exist. He made these remarks in an interview with the BBC on Sunday, two weeks after his party approved a motion equating Zionism with racism.
Polanski, who is Jewish, stated that he believes "Zionism is racism in the practical application of it." When asked if he thought Zionism was racist, he responded, "What's controversial is that 75,000 Palestinians have been murdered in the last few years, including more child amputees than ever in modern history. So when you take that to account, the fact that they're being murdered because they're Palestinian – that's very obviously a racist ideology."
Regarding the right of Israel to exist, Polanski said, "I don’t think any state has a right to exist under international law." He also described the idea of a two-state solution as "for the birds" due to Israel's opposition.
Polanski did not attend the vote on the motion but stated he agreed with its broad thrust, despite feeling that "debates about words are unhelpful." He also said he had no regrets about his handling of the recent controversy, despite criticism from some prominent Jewish Green members.