Green Party leader Zack Polanski is confronting the most significant challenge to his tenure following a combination of electoral pressure and internal party rebellion over a controversial motion regarding Zionism.
While Labour secured victory in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, retaining the seat previously held by Sir Keir Starmer, all eyes turned to Polanski as he awaited results. Although the Greens achieved their second-best-ever Westminster by-election result, the loss in a traditionally safe Labour constituency has intensified scrutiny on his leadership.
The primary source of turmoil, however, stems from the Green Party conference in Brighton last weekend. Delegates passed a motion declaring Zionism to be a form of racism, defining the ideology as support for an “ethnonationalist Jewish state” and advocating for a single democratic state across historic Palestine, including modern-day Israel.
Polanski did not participate in the vote, stating he chose to focus on campaigning in Holborn and St Pancras. He has since faced mounting pressure to address the outcome, with internal critics suggesting he has lost control of the party’s direction. One party figure remarked that Polanski had “created a monster he either can’t or won’t control,” citing anger among members who feel the party has drifted toward Middle East-focused activism rather than environmental issues.
The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from outside the party. The Jewish Leadership Council, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, and sister Green parties across Europe have condemned the motion. Additionally, Polanski, who is Jewish, has been banned from visiting Israel. Former Green leader Caroline Lucas told BBC Newsnight that Polanski failed to demonstrate adequate leadership on the issue and declined to support him continuing as leader.
Despite the mounting opposition, Polanski insisted after the by-election that he can remain leader. He refrained from explicitly rejecting the conference motion, instead focusing on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He stated, “I believe that is clearly racist,” referring to the displacement of the Palestinian people, while noting that Israel denies its actions amount to genocide.
When asked about the two-state solution, Polanski replied that it was not the party’s role to decide, emphasizing his responsibility to unite the party and ensure no member is excluded based on faith or religion. Nevertheless, he now faces open insurrection from senior figures and significant opprobrium from external critics, marking a pivotal moment for his leadership.
In related developments, the Conservatives finished third in the by-election, surpassing Reform UK for the first time in an English contest since the general election. Reform UK’s performance was potentially hampered by the presence of the Restore Britain party, which secured nearly half the votes cast for Reform.
Does this really help anyone? The Greens seem obsessed with Israel policy now instead of actual climate action. What’s the point?
Polanski’s refusal to reject the motion is a masterclass in evasive leadership. He’s losing his own party and his community.