Polanski reposts message from former councillor who called for Jewish event to be ‘blown up’
Green Party leader shared message from Harriet Bradley ahead of local elections across England this week
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has reposted a message from a former councillor who was investigated by police after calling for a Jewish Labour Movement conference venue to be “blown up”.
Polanski shared a post on X from Harriet Bradley, which read: “VOTE GREEN FOR HOPE, KINDNESS, CHARITY AND PEACE,” followed by green heart emojis.
The repost comes ahead of this week’s local elections, the first major round of council elections since Polanski became Green Party leader in September 2025.
Bradley, a former Labour councillor in Bristol and former university lecturer, was investigated by Avon and Somerset Police in December 2023 after posting “Somebody blow up the venue!” in response to an announcement about a forthcoming Jewish Labour Movement conference in north London.
The post was later deleted.
At the time, police said the matter had been recorded as “an incident of malicious communications” and was under investigation.
Bradley later apologised for the comments, saying: “I want to offer an apology on what was a very ill-considered stupid tweet, I am ashamed of having made it.
“It has had awful consequences for me obviously, and I’d like to apologise to anybody who was upset, offended, frightened even.”
The Jewish Labour Movement conference was due to feature senior Labour figures, including Wes Streeting, Bridget Phillipson and Pat McFadden.
Mike Katz, national chair of the Jewish Labour Movement, said following the original post: “There is a real feeling of uncertainty around the Jewish community.”
Bradley had previously been suspended by the Labour Party in 2019 over a separate social media post deemed antisemitic.
Following the 2023 incident, both the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England removed honorary titles previously awarded to her.
The University of Bristol said at the time it was “deeply dismayed” by the “inflammatory comment”.
A JLM spokesperson said: “Zack Polanski, the terminally online Leader of the Green Party, has shared a post from a woman who threatened to blow up a Jewish Labour Movement event.
“We’re lost for words – the lack of judgement shows how unfit he is to be a party leader.”
Jack Lubner, a former JLM employee, also responded on social media, saying: “When I organised the Jewish Labour Movement’s conference in 2024, we had to report this woman to the Police for threatening to bomb the venue. It made headline news and was reported on by the BBC.
“Why are these people attracted to the Green Party? Why does Polanski welcome their support?”
A Green Party spokesperson said: “Thousands of people engage with Zack Polanski’s social media every day. It is ridiculous to suggest that by reposting someone who commented favourably on a Green Party election promotion, he is somehow responsible for something reprehensible they said three years ago.”
Polanski has faced wider scrutiny in recent days over comments and social media activity relating to antisemitism and policing.
On Wednesday, he admitted he had “used the wrong word” after previously describing himself as a spokesperson for the British Red Cross during an earlier Green Party campaign.
He also apologised after sharing criticism of police officers shown restraining the suspect arrested following last week’s Golders Green stabbing attack.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Polanski said: “Two things can be true at the same time: officers are incredibly brave when they run towards scenes of crimes that most people, including myself, will want to run away from.
“At the same time, I think it is accurate, and that I was also traumatised by seeing someone handcuffed and repeatedly kicked in the head.”
During the same interview, Polanski said antisemitism was “completely unwelcome in the Green Party” and said new measures, including “a standardised vetting process” and compulsory training for candidates, would be introduced.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
