UK Green Party Leader Banned from Israel Over 'Zionism is Racism' Policy
UK Green Party Leader Banned from Israel Over 'Zionism is Racism' Policy
A major political row erupts as Zack Polanski is barred from Israel after his Green Party voted to define Zionism as racist, sparking strong condemnation and debate.
Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski has been banned from entering Israel, following his party's controversial decision to officially define Zionism as racist. The move has ignited a fierce international debate and drawn sharp criticism from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Israeli government stated that the Green Party's resolution
constitutes a clear antisemitic text according to the IHRA definition, as it denies the Jewish people’s right to self-determination.
They further accused the party of legitimising "the destruction of the State of Israel" and adopting a policy that equates Zionism with racism, supports "armed struggle against Israel," and calls for a Palestinian state "from the river to the sea."
Polanski himself did not participate in the vote, having left the party conference early to campaign in a by-election. However, as a prominent figure, he has been held accountable by Israel for the party's official stance. In a joint statement with other Green MPs, Polanski affirmed that there is "no conflict between supporting the rights of Palestinians and the rights of Jewish people."
During the Green Party conference in Brighton, members passed the motion with 1,022 votes in favour and 813 against. The new policy formally declares the Greens to be an "anti-Zionist party" and states that Zionism, which is defined as the movement to develop and protect a Jewish state in Israel, will be "treated as any other form of racism." It also explicitly supports the establishment of a "single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital."
The debate was reportedly intense, with some supporters of the motion chanting "say it loud, say it clear, Zionists are not welcome here." However, former councillor Salma Yaqoob clarified that while Zionism would be "called out as racism," it would not lead to disciplinary action against party members. A Green Party spokesperson echoed this, stating that the motion does not have a "material impact on governance or disciplinary procedures" and that the party remains committed to
equality, justice and human rights for all, and opposition to racism in all its forms.
Interestingly, party members voted against adding a clause that would have explicitly prevented the motion from being used to "pressure, proscribe or discipline" members for their affiliation with Jewish groups or synagogues that identify as Zionist. The party maintained its long-standing positions opposing the "illegal occupation of both Palestinian and Syrian land" and calling for an end to arms sales to the Israeli government, while also speaking out on the "devastating situation in Gaza and the West Bank."
