Green party leader Zack Polanski declared himself an anti-Zionist and faced heckling at a Jewish community hustings in Holborn and St Pancras, where he is standing as a candidate in next month's byelection. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
He said Zionism – the movement for a Jewish state – was a form of racism because it involved the displacement and genocide of Palestinians. His remarks were met with boos from the audience last night.
"I'm an anti-Zionist. I think countries have always been ideas and I think things change over time," he said.
Polanski, who is Jewish, said criticising the Israeli government and the occupation of Palestinian land was not antisemitic. "We need to come together to recognise that when we call that antisemitic, we are making ourselves as Jewish people less safe," he added.
As the Green party prepares for its annual conference, members are due to vote on a motion to declare Zionism as a form of racism in official policy. As my colleague Peter Walker reported last week, some in the party fear it could alienate Jewish supporters if it passed.
A Green official said that many activists loyal to the party's leadership might not be at the autumn conference because it takes place a week before voting in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, in which Polanski hopes to take Keir Starmer's old seat from Labour, potentially leaving more scope for others to push through the motion.
"The risk is that if it passes as it is we are alienating ourselves from the Jewish community in the UK, a lot of whom are not big fans of the current Israeli government," a Green source said.
There was, they added, a parallel worry about internal splits, with some Green activists in leaked WhatsApp chats warning that Polanski was "struggling to overcome Zionist indoctrination".
Polanski's remarks highlight the intensifying debate within the Green party over Zionism. As the party prepares to vote on the issue at its annual conference, Polanski's anti-Zionist stance could affect the party's relationship with the Jewish community.
The Holborn and St Pancras byelection will take place next month, where Polanski is hoping to take Keir Starmer's old seat. The byelection will be an important test for the Green party as it tries to balance retaining its Jewish supporters and supporting Palestinians.
Polanski's comments at the Jewish community hustings were a significant moment in his election campaign. He openly expressed his anti-Zionist position and stressed that criticising the Israeli government should not be confused with antisemitism.
The motion to declare Zionism as a form of racism may be passed at the Green party conference, which could become official party policy. However, some within the party are concerned that this step could worsen relations with the Jewish community.
One of the main issues in Polanski's election campaign is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He clearly states his position and tries to gain the support of voters.
The debate within the Green party is an important factor in determining the party's future direction. Party members will vote on the motion on Zionism, setting the party's official position.
Polanski's remarks and the subsequent protests reflect the complex issues within the Green party. The party is trying to find a balance between maintaining relations with the Jewish community and satisfying the anti-Zionist views of its members.