Zack Polanski blames British Jews for soaring antisemitism in UK

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has appeared to claim British Jews are responsible for rising antisemitism in the UK.

Mr Polanski, who is Jewish and admitted he was raised with Zionist values, made the argument at a hustings held ahead of the Holborn & St Pancras by-election hustings.

Speaking at the event last night, the Green Party leader said: “I think we need to separate antisemitism from criticism of the Israeli state, and I think far too often those things become conflated.

“And I don’t think we can pit our Jewish safety against the safety of the Palestinians, for instance. And I worry far too often, in our national discourse, that happens.

“Many genocide scholars around the world recognise it [Israel’s war in Gaza] as a genocide and calling it that is not antisemitic.

“And I think, I think as a Jewish community, we need to come together to recognise that when we call that antisemitic, we are making ourselves as Jewish people less safe.”

Audience members heckled Mr Polanski throughout the two-hour debate.

One person, who attended the event hosted by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, told the Green Party leader: "You are the problem."

When asked if he supported Israel's right to exist, Mr Polanski said: “I am an anti-Zionist, which I know is difficult for people to hear in this room, but it’s the truth.

"I think countries have always been ideas and I think things change over time.

"And again, I don’t think it is down to our country to decide what the future for Israelis and Palestinians will look like."

He added: “If you’re defining Zionism as the displacement and genocide of the Palestinians, which is how in practice Zionism has become in truth, then that is racist.”

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The comments came after it was revealed Green Party members have been urged to vote in favour of a motion which will formally reject Israel's right to exist and back "armed" Palestinian resistance.

The Greens continue to face allegations of antisemitism following Mr Polanski victory in the 2025 party leadership election.

One candidate allegedly called for "every single Zionist" to be killed, while another claimed Hamas's October 7 attack was just Palestinians trying to "defend themselves".

However, Mr Polanski argued earlier this year that the Green Party is cracking down on antisemitism.

“Antisemitism is completely unwelcome in the Green Party, as it is in society," he said.

The Green Party leader, who received just 728 votes when he last contested a Westminster seat in 2019, is hoping to defeat Labour in Holborn & St Pancras on October 8.

However, a recent YouGov MRP poll found Labour would likely romp to victory in the London seat.

Labour's vote share stood at 44 per cent, down slightly from Sir Keir Starmer's total at the 2024 General Election.

Meanwhile, Green support received a modest boost to take Mr Polanski to just 20 per cent.

Mr Polanski is now ramping up his campaign in Holborn & St Pancras after Green members were urged to miss the party's annual conference to go campaigning in North London.

“We need hundreds of you on the streets every day, including Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4," a message sent to Green members said.

“Winning in Holborn and St Pancras will unlock our future election goals. Now is the time to go all in.”

Green members who miss the annual conference in Brighton will receive a refund.