Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party and a candidate in the upcoming Holborn and St Pancras byelection, declared himself an anti-Zionist at a Jewish community hustings. He stated that Zionism, defined as the movement for a Jewish state, constitutes a form of racism due to its alleged involvement in the displacement and genocide of Palestinians. His comments were met with boos from the audience.
Polanski, who is Jewish, also asserted that criticising the Israeli government and the occupation of Palestinian land is not antisemitic. He added, "We need to come together to recognise that when we call that antisemitic, we are making ourselves as Jewish people less safe."
The Green Party is preparing for its annual conference, where members are expected to vote on a motion to officially declare Zionism as a form of racism. A Green source expressed concern that if the motion passes, it could alienate the party from the UK's Jewish community, many of whom are not supporters of the current Israeli government. There are also worries about potential internal divisions within the party.