Green party activists have moaned they are reluctant to campaign for Zack Polanski because he is not sufficiently anti-Zionist, The Spectator can reveal. In WhatsApp groups, senior Green members accused their party leader of being a ‘genocide denier’ and ‘struggling to overcome Zionist indoctrination’. They warned that his stance on Israel was dampening enthusiasm for the former hypnotist’s Holborn and St Pancras by-election campaign.
In WhatsApp groups, senior Green members accused their party leader of being a ‘genocide denier’ and ‘struggling to overcome Zionist indoctrination’
A particular source of anger is Polanski’s position on a party conference motion declaring ‘Zionism is racism’. After the proposal failed to come to a vote previously, members of Greens for Palestine are determined to secure its passage at the party’s annual conference in Brighton next month.
The motion calls for the establishment of ‘a single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine’. Polanski has said he will support it subject to two amendments. The first would alter its position on the eventual political settlement in Israel and Palestine; the second would seek to protect Jewish Green members from punishment or exclusion because of their associations or political views. Both demands have provoked fury among pro-Palestinian activists within the party.
Animah Kosai, an East Midlands representative on the Green party council, wrote in a party WhatsApp chat: ‘I was all set to go leafleting for Jummah this Friday. Feeling really conflicted. [Polanski] has to win but I find it hard to go now. There’ll be a backlash against any high profile Green party person including leaders and MPs who speaks against the motion. Would certainly affect them politically.’
In a particularly ominous hint at the extent to which sectarianism is impacting British democracy, Kosai added: ‘The Muslim Vote. The pro Palestine activists. Both were a big part of why the Greens did well in 2024 GE. They will warn against any [Green member] who speaks against the motion. And that includes potential MPs like Zack.’
Another member, named Ash, wrote: ‘I know logically he’s still better the MP but emotionally the motivation or enthusiasm isn’t there because of the disappointment.’ He added that he would campaign ‘if I was excited and enthused – but just am not.’
Referencing Polanski’s proposed amendments, Greens for Palestine member Abdul Qader went further: ‘Would he have taken the same stance during other genocides? So basically he is confirming he is a genocide denier.’
A Green council candidate, named Caitlin, said: ‘I still think it’s good to have a Green MP there, as we will have passed the motion at conference so his personal difficulties with fully overcoming Zionist indoctrination won’t matter.’
The row appears to be spilling over into the Greens’ attempts to mobilise campaigners in north London. The Spectator can also reveal that party figures have acknowledged a shortage of volunteers ahead of the contest.
In a campaign call to arms, Young Greens co-chair and Care4Calais volunteer Jo Dowbar told a party chat: ‘We’re not getting enough volunteers… We’re particularly short of multilingual speakers to, so those are encouraged.’
The by-election to replace Sir Keir Starmer will take place on October 8. The battle will be a huge test for Andy Burnham, showcasing the extent to which he’s managed to nullify the Green threat from the left. A win for Labour’s candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali could strengthen Downing Street’s confidence in the idea of an early general election. Equally, expect Labour MPs to use any loss as a means to drag Burnham even further left.
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