Polanski under pressure to back anti-Zionist one-state solution stance for Greens
Pro-Palestine activists push for 'Zionist Is Racism' motion to be debating a Greens Spring Conference in March
Zack Polanski is under increased pressure from pro-Palestine activists to declare the party anti-Zionist and to back a one-state solution in the Middle East.
The calls come as pro-Palestine activists in the party urge him to support a “Zionism Is Racism” motion they are pushing for debate at the Greens’ Spring Conference in March.
The motion, proposed by the Palestine Green Party and Green For Palestine Steering Group, calls for “a single democratic Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital” and rejects all accusations that anti-Zionism is antisemitic.
It also advocates for the “de-proscription of Palestine Action” and the “release of all political prisoners” held by Israel.
Jewish News understands the motion is already picking up significant support from members on the far-left of the party, who are campaigning to get it debated and voted on at the forthcoming party conference.
If passed it would move the Green Party away from a policy of backing a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders.
Other far-left parties, including the rift-ridden Your Party have already declared themselves to be anti-Zionist.
Polanski’s own stance on Israel has evolved dramatically.
Once a founding member of the Jewish Greens and a self-described pro-Zionist, he now says he is “not a Zionist” as a result of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Pro-Palestine activists are pressuring him to go further and oppose Israel’s right to exist.
Promotion of the motion has already exposed divisions within the party as the conference approaches.
Some Green members have labeled the proposals “antisemitic,” while another member posted on X: “You can’t destroy Israel, it’s completely unrealistic and also goes against the ethics of self-determination, the only future is a two-state solution and easing of tensions.”
Party insiders believe deputy leader Mothin’ Ali will support the motion.
Others claim it is a deliberate test of Polanski’s commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Polanski has accused Israel of “genocide” in Gaza and recently said he would “absolutely” raise the party’s position on Gaza while campaigning in the Gorton & Denton by-election to win over the constituency’s Muslim Vote.
It is not known whether Hannah Spencer, the Greens’ candidate in the by-election, supports the “Zionism Is Racism” motion.
But some in the party still remain suspicious about Polanski’s position despite his claim that he is no longer a Zionist, having abandoned the views he was brought up with by his Jewish family in north Manchester.
Jewish News obtained audio from 2018 in which, under his previous pro-Zionist position, he complained that Green members were “obsessive about Israel.”
Jewish News has contacted Polanski, his deputy Ali, and the Green Party for comment.
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