Green Party leader Zack Polanski describes Zionism as racist ideology

Green Party leader Zack Polanski refused to say that Israel has a right to exist and described Zionism as a racist ideology, the Daily Mail reported on October 18. Speaking publicly for the first time since an anti-Semitism controversy affected his party, he stated that the movement supporting a Jewish homeland was synonymous with basic colonialism and racism in Gaza and the West Bank. The Daily Mail noted that he blamed the ideology for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. [1]

The remarks follow reports from Middle East Eye that Polanski praised the bravery of Sarah Helm, who faced calls from pro-Israel groups for police action. Polanski has experienced criticism from both inside and outside his party regarding his leadership. [1][2]

Polanski has served as leader of the Green Party of England and Wales since September 2025 and as a member of the London Assembly since May 2021, according to background details. He previously served as deputy leader of the Green Party from 2022 until 2025. [5]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, the Green Party previously passed a controversial conference motion defining Zionism as racism. Senior party figures sought rule reforms following the motion and a subsequent by-election loss in Holborn and St Pancras to the Labour Party. Polanski had expressed a desire to amend the policy at the earliest opportunity, though internal rules could delay any change for two years. [8][9]