Green Party leader Zack Polanski faced significant backlash during a Monday night hustings for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. While speaking at an event organized by the London Jewish Forum and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, Polanski drew boos from the audience after describing Zionism as racism in practice and characterizing Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide.
The London Jewish Forum and Board of Deputies hustings clash
The Holborn and St Pancras by-electon, scheduled to take place in less than two weeks, has already become a flashpoint for intense political debate. During a Monday night hustings organized by the London Jewish Forum and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the atmosphere turned hostile toward Green Party leader Zack Polanski.. the event served as a microcosm of the broader tensions currently gripping UK politics regarding the conflict in Gaza and the boundaries of anti-Semitic discourse.
Polanski's argument that Zionism functions as 'displacement genocide'
Zack Polanski, who identifies as an anti-Zionist and is himself Jewish, drew significant criticism for his characterization of the movement. As reported by the source, Polanski told the audience that Zionism, in its practical application, relies on the displacement and genocide of the Palestinian people.. When questioned on whether this constitutes a form of racism, Polanski suggested that if Zionism is defined by such displacement, then it must be classified as such. His remarks were met with immediate boos from those in attendance.
Ewan Cameron and Peter Newman's reaction to 'explosive' rhettoric
Other candidates at the event used the platform to distance themselves from Polanski’s rhetoric. Conservative candidate Ewan Cameron warned against the use of "explosive words" like apartheid and genocide, arguing that such terms are often presented as facts without providing the necessary context of the October 7 attacks or the complexities of the region. Meanwhile, Reform UK candidate Peter Newman was met with applause after suggesting that the UK's preoccupation with Israel may lead to a failure to take domestic anti-Semitism seriously. Additionally, Labour peer Baroness Hodge criticized Polanski in a separate interview with Times Radio, suggesting he requires a "quick lesson in Zionism."
The 'Zionism is Racism' motion authored by Lubna Speitan
The controversy extends beyond the hustings and into the internal governance of the Green Party. According to the report, the party is facing a push from hardline pro-Palestinian members to pass a motion at next week's conference titled "Zionism is Racism." This motion, which was penned by London-based artist Lubna Speitan,advocates for a single democratic Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital and calls for Israel to be treated similarly to apartheid-era South Africa. The pamphlet accompanying the motion uses the phrase "from the river to the sea," a term that has faced widespread criticism as anti-Semitic.
Will the Green Party conference side with hardline pro-Palestinian elements?
While the tension is palable, several critical details remain unverified. It is currently unknown whether the Green Party membership will ultimately adopt Lubna Speitan's motion or if Zack Polanski will change his stance to align with the party's leadership. Furthermore, the source does not clarify the specific level of support for Polanski's views among the wider Green Party electorate, leaving it uncertain how these remarks will impact the upcoming by-election results.
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