Green Party Candidate Sparks Controversy with Comments on Zionism

Zack Polanski, the Green Party candidate for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, faced boos and heckling during a hustings event where he stated that "in practice" Zionism is racism and described Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide. Polanski, who identifies as Jewish, made these remarks at an event organized by the London Jewish Forum and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, held less than two weeks before the by-election.

He told the audience that those who label criticism of Israel's military actions following the October 7 attacks as antisemitic are making Jewish people less safe. Polanski identified himself as an "anti-Zionist" at the event.

Polanski's comments came as he faces internal party pressure from some factions advocating for a policy change to support the destruction of Israel and the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. This proposed policy, reportedly penned by a London-based artist, also calls for Israel to be treated akin to apartheid-era South Africa and advocates for broad boycotts and sanctions against it.

The candidate acknowledged the complexity of defining Zionism, stating that it means different things to different people. However, he elaborated that if Zionism is defined as involving "displacement and genocide," then "that is racism."

Other candidates at the hustings also addressed the sensitive topic. The Reform candidate reportedly garnered applause for stating that the UK does not take antisemitism seriously and for criticizing an "over-focus on events in Israel." The Conservative candidate, Ewan Cameron, was also supported when he cautioned against using "explosive words" like apartheid and genocide without providing full context, including the roles of Hamas, the complexities of the Palestinian situation, and the history of Gaza and Israel, particularly after the October 7 attacks. He argued that such statements, without context, could fuel antisemitic reactions.

Polanski himself has suggested he may not support the more extreme internal party motion in its current form, calling it a "distraction." The motion's accompanying pamphlet has been criticized for using phrases such as "Free Palestine, from the river to the sea," which has been interpreted by some as antisemitic.