Zack Polanski accuses Chief Rabbi of speaking for Israel instead of British Jews
Jewish Green Party leader said he feels "less safe" in the UK because of attempts to conflate antisemitism with anti-Zionism
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has accused Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis of failing to represent British Jews, claiming he is “speaking in the interests of defending the Israeli government” instead.
Appearing on The Rest Is Politics podcast, Polanski—who describes himself as proudly Jewish but not religious—said he feels “less safe” in the UK due to attempts to conflate antisemitism with anti-Zionism.
Speaking to presenters Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, Polanski discussed his work within the Jewish community and his willingness to visit synagogues.
He said: “I am outraged that there are British communal organisations—in fact, I’ll go further—we have a Chief Rabbi who I think has overstepped the mark many times. He is not speaking for the British Jewish community.”
Polanski added that Rabbi Mirvis “is certainly not speaking for me,” and continued, “I don’t think he’s speaking for the wider community.”
He asserted, “He is clearly speaking in the interests of defending the Israeli government.”
“As a personal view, he is totally entitled to do that, and I’m totally entitled to disagree with him,” Polanski said.
“But for someone with the role of Chief Rabbi to politicise what is happening in Israel as a defence of the Jewish community in Britain, I think, is deeply damaging. As with so many aspects of our politics, when ideas and personalities get mixed, we end up in a dangerous place where institutions crumble.”
A spokesperson for the Chief Rabbi said he did not wish to respond to the comments.
Earlier in the interview, Polanski spoke about his family background and Jewish identity. He discussed his decision to speak out for Palestinians and acknowledged that the “most vicious” criticism he receives often comes from within his own community.
Polanski, who grew up attending a Jewish school in Manchester, said he felt connected to Israel despite never having visited. He noted that the anti-occupation group Breaking The Silence contacted him after his election to the London Assembly five years ago.
He said his views on Israel have evolved, and he now feels a responsibility to speak out “against the genocide” in Gaza.
Polanski also claimed that his stance on Israel has attracted increasing numbers of Jewish members to the Green Party.
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