Polanski uses Greens local election launch to demand Israel sanctions and end to ‘genocide’
Green leader attacks Labour, Tories and Reform as he targets protest voters ahead of May 7 polls
Zack Polanski has used the launch of the Green Party’s local election campaign to call for “robust sanctions” to be imposed on Israel – including the withdrawal of the trade agreement with the UK and “an end to the genocide.”
At the event in south London, Polanski began by speaking on “what we’ve all seen on our TV screens and our phone screens, both over the last few years, but in Lebanon in the last 24 hours” in an attempt to woo anti-Israel voters in the May 7 poll.
Green candidates across the country have frequently been focusing their campaign on the Middle East.
In some areas in London, including Willesden Green in Brent, activists have been turning up on doorsteps wearing Palestinian keffiyeh scarfs.
With the Greens widely expected to benefit from a protest vote against the government next month, he added: “What is it going to take for this government to actually put robust sanctions on Israel?
“It is outrageous that Israel are still enjoying diplomatic and trade privileges from the international community.
“And as a Green Party, we are calling on this government to make much more robust sanctions, to withdraw the UK-Israel trade agreement and to end the genocide.”
Polanski said he understood why voters might shun both the Labour and Conservative parties in the local election, and turned his focus on Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
He noted that “on day one and day two” Farage was “calling for us to get even more involved with the war, which would not just be a humanitarian disaster, but for people in this country, we know that would mean higher bills.”
He added: “We’re already seeing sky-high bills, we’re seeing rising rents, and we’re going to see increasing energy shocks and prices that are already coming down the track.”
“Why are people looking for an alternative?” said Polanski. “We had 14 years of Conservative austerity, and then we elected a Labour government two years ago that promised change.
“I don’t know about you, but I’ve not seen much change.
“In fact, what we have seen is a toxic combination of chaos and cowardice, a government that has no plans, no vision and no real change, a government that has not just been complicit in genocide.”
The Greens leader then began to attack Labour and the Conservatives’ record on more domestic issues such as housing, naming London councils such as Lambeth and Hackney, which his party is targeting in next month’s election.
Labour responded to his comments by launching a campaign highlighting the Greens’ record of refusing to allow homes to be built in councils across the country
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.
