Zack Polanski has declared that Zionism is racist in its practical application and that no state possesses an inherent right to exist. The Green Party leader in England and Wales made the comments in a defiant BBC interview on Sunday, two weeks after his party approved a motion equating the ideology with racism.
The remarks land as Polanski navigates the most turbulent stretch of his leadership. Since taking over last September, he has lost the Holborn and St Pancras byelection and watched his party’s poll numbers tumble from a high of 18% earlier this year.
Unapologetic Stance
Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg, Polanski refused to walk back the conference vote. He argued that the focus on semantics distracts from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. “What’s controversial is that 75,000 Palestinians have been murdered in the last few years, including more child amputees than ever in modern history,” he stated. He dismissed the debate over the word “Zionism” as unhelpful, insisting that the ideology’s current execution is inherently racist.
When asked directly if Israel has a right to exist, the Jewish leader said: “I don’t think any state has a right to exist under international law.” He also labeled the two-state solution “for the birds,” citing Israel’s ongoing opposition to such a framework.
Internal Rifts
The comments have deepened divisions within the party. Vivien Lichtenstein, head of the Jewish Greens, criticized Polanski for skipping the conference vote. “None of that took an inordinate amount of time. There was no excuse for his not participating,” Lichtenstein said. Polanski pushed back, noting that a majority of Jewish Greens actually supported the motion. He insisted he has no regrets about his handling of the controversy.
Political Gamble
Polanski is betting that voters will reject the current government’s approach. He predicted that Andy Burnham’s leadership would reveal a gap between rhetoric and action, driving support back to the Greens. The party is now testing whether its hardline stance on Palestine can offset recent electoral losses and internal friction.
Source: Guardian World
This article was compiled by the IndiaBBCNews editorial system from verified international news sources. Facts have been independently reviewed. Original reporting: Guardian World.
