Zack Polanski: Zionism Is Racist, No State Has Right to Exist 2026

Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, has said that Zionism in its current form is racist and that no state has a right to exist under international law. In an unapologetic BBC interview on Sunday, Polanski stood by his party's recent motion equating Zionism with racism, despite criticism and his own absence from the vote.

Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg, Polanski argued that the controversy lies not in the motion but in the deaths of Palestinians. He said: “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 added: “I think Zionism is racism in the practical application of it.”

What Polanski Said and Why It Matters

Polanski, who is Jewish, was asked directly whether he believed Israel had a right to exist. He replied: “I don’t think any state has a right to exist under international law.” He also dismissed debates about the word “Zionism” as unhelpful, saying the party conference had already debated the motion and he agreed with its broad thrust.

The Green Party approved the motion two weeks ago, equating Zionism with racism. Polanski did not attend the vote, which prompted accusations of a lack of leadership. His comments now align him firmly with the motion’s supporters, even as he criticises the focus on semantics.

This intervention is significant because it places a mainstream UK party leader outside the conventional consensus on Israel. It also raises questions about the Green Party’s direction under Polanski’s leadership and how it will affect the party’s electoral prospects.

Key Takeaways

• Zack Polanski explicitly called Zionism “racism in the practical application of it.”
• He stated that no state has a right to exist under international law, including Israel.
• Polanski did not attend the party vote on the motion, but he supports its broad thrust.
• He dismissed debates about the word “Zionism” as unhelpful, focusing instead on Palestinian casualties.
• The comments are likely to intensify scrutiny of the Green Party’s stance on international issues.

Context: The Green Party Motion and Internal Divisions

The motion passed at the Green Party conference equated Zionism with racism, sparking a backlash from some members and external critics. Polanski’s decision not to attend the vote was seen by some as an attempt to avoid direct association with the motion, but his subsequent comments confirm his agreement with its underlying argument.

This is not the first time Polanski has courted controversy. He has previously faced criticism for his comments on other political figures and for his party’s approach to climate activism. The latest remarks are likely to deepen divisions within the party and raise questions about its leadership.

Reactions and Implications

Jewish community leaders have condemned Polanski’s remarks. The Jewish Greens leader has already called for Polanski to resign, arguing that his position undermines the party’s credibility and alienates Jewish members. The Board of Deputies of British Jews is expected to respond further.

Polanski’s comments also put pressure on other political parties to clarify their positions. Labour leader Keir Starmer has faced his own internal challenges over the party’s stance on Israel, and the Conservatives are likely to seize on Polanski’s remarks to argue that the Greens are extreme.

Electorally, the Greens have been gaining ground in some urban areas, but Polanski’s outspokenness could polarise voters. His decision to contest Holborn and St Pancras, a seat held by Keir Starmer, will be a key test of whether his brand of eco-populism resonates beyond the party’s base.

What to Watch Next

Polanski’s interview is likely to dominate political discussion in the coming days. Watch for reactions from within the Green Party, particularly from members who may feel the leadership has gone too far. Also watch for how other party leaders respond, and whether the controversy affects the Greens’ standing in the polls.

The broader question is whether Polanski’s leadership will survive this latest storm. His critics argue that his focus on international issues distracts from the party’s core environmental message. Supporters counter that he is willing to speak uncomfortable truths. Either way, the debate over Zionism and racism is now firmly at the centre of Green Party politics.

For a deeper look at the internal backlash, see how the Jewish Greens leader called for Zack Polanski to resign as Green Party leader. This controversy also raises questions about Polanski’s leadership failure on Zionism and socialism, which critics say has alienated moderate supporters.

Polanski’s approach to other political figures has been equally combative. He recently argued that Andy Burnham is too influenced by vested interests, a claim that echoes his broader critique of mainstream politics. Meanwhile, his decision to contest Holborn and St Pancras against Keir Starmer signals a direct challenge to Labour’s leadership. The background to this story is set out in Green Party's 'Zionism is Racism' Motion Sparks Political Firestorm. A related thread runs through Polanski Heckled at Jewish Hustings Over Zionism Racism Claim. Earlier coverage in Green Party Adopts Controversial Policy Equating Zionism with Racism shows how the argument developed.

The Greens’ climate focus has also come under scrutiny, with some arguing that Polanski’s emphasis on social justice has diluted the party’s environmental message. As the Green Party leader runs for Keir Starmer’s seat, the stakes could hardly be higher. And with police investigating Zack Polanski over a Farage guillotine image, his leadership is facing multiple fronts of criticism. A closer look at the same subject appears in Jewish Greens Leader Calls for Zack Polanski to Resign as Green Party. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Green Party Overhaul: Polanski Signals Major Democracy Shift. The same theme surfaces in Green Party Faces Global Backlash Over Zionism Racism Vote, which takes a different angle.

Despite these challenges, the Green Party has backed Zack Polanski for the London byelection bid, suggesting that his internal support remains strong. His brand of green socialist eco-populism continues to attract attention, but it also raises questions about the party’s electoral strategy. As Zack Polanski’s leadership comes under fire, the coming months will determine whether his approach can deliver votes or whether it will deepen the party’s crisis. Context on how this played out before sits in Green Party Leadership Crisis: Does Polanski Have to Go. A companion piece, Zack Polanski's Leadership Failure on Zionism and Socialism, approaches the same subject from another angle.