Green Party Leader Will Not Overturn ‘Zionism is Racism’ Motion Until 2028

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has stated he will not overturn a recent party motion declaring Zionism to be racist, despite widespread criticism. The motion, passed by 1,022 to 813 votes at the party’s conference, describes Zionism as an ideology supporting “an ethnonationalist Jewish state in historic Palestine to the exclusion and/or domination of the non-Jewish population.” Polanski, who did not vote on the motion, said he respects the “democratic will of our members” and cannot amend it until 2028 due to party rules. He intends to propose amendments at that time, shifting the focus towards allowing Israelis and Palestinians to determine their own future. The fallout from the motion overshadowed Polanski’s campaign in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, where he finished second to Labour. Polanski previously stated he would not have voted for the motion without amendments. The decision has sparked internal criticism within the Green Party, with some senior figures questioning his leadership. A recent Ipsos survey found Polanski’s approval rating at minus 36, the lowest of any national leader. The Equality watchdog has written to the Greens over the motion, and Labour has indicated it will distance itself from Green council groups that support the policy. Polanski defended his stance, stating that the “controversial” aspect was not the motion itself, but the deaths of 75,000 Palestinians in recent years.

Where they differ

• The Independent highlighted internal criticism of Polanski’s leadership, noting calls for his resignation from figures like Vivien Lichtenstein and Caroline Lucas, and a survey showing his low approval rating (minus 36).
• The BBC focused on Polanski’s explanation of why he wouldn’t overturn the motion immediately, emphasizing the two-year rule preventing amendments and his respect for the democratic process.
• The Independent reported that 52% of people surveyed in October had a negative view of Polanski, while the BBC did not report on this statistic.

What is not yet known

• The long-term impact of the motion on the Green Party’s electoral prospects remains unclear.
• The extent to which Polanski’s proposed amendments in 2028 will satisfy critics within the party is unknown.

Background

• The Green Party adopted a policy equating Zionism with racism and advocating for a single Palestinian state, passing a motion of 1,022 to 813 at their annual conference in 2026 [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-04].
• Prior to the motion, Green Party leader Zack Polanski stated Zionism is racist if it involves the displacement of Palestinians [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-04].
• In 2026, police investigated Polanski following a social media post featuring a guillotine, interpreted by some as a threat towards Nigel Farage [Fact Refinery, 2026-07-28].
• The UK government proscribed Palestine Action as a terrorist organization in July 2025, leading to arrests and legal challenges [Fact Refinery, 2026-10-14].

Our reading

Our reading is that Polanski is prioritizing adherence to party rules and respecting the outcome of a democratic vote, even when it generates significant controversy and internal dissent. He appears to be attempting to manage a difficult situation by delaying action until 2028, while simultaneously signaling a desire for future change. The article suggests this strategy is failing to quell criticism, both from within the party and externally, and is negatively impacting his public image.

What to watch

• The outcome of the Equality watchdog’s review of the Green Party’s motion [Equality watchdog website].
• Polanski’s approval rating in the next Ipsos survey, to see if it recovers from its current low of minus 36 [Ipsos website].
• Whether Labour formally distances itself from Green council groups supporting the policy, as indicated in the article [Labour Party statements].

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