STORY
Zack Polanski has said that he would not have voted for the Green Party motion declaring Zionism to be a form of racism in the form approved by members. The party leader described the motion as imperfect and said that, although he agreed with parts of its substance, he opposed its support for establishing a single Palestinian state across historic Palestine. He said he would instead have backed an amended version which did not attempt to determine the future political settlement of the region.
Polanski did not attend the debate or vote at the Green Party conference because he had returned to London to campaign in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election. He defended that decision by saying voters expected him to be present in the constituency dealing with local issues. Polanski also sought to reassure Jewish members following the vote, saying that no-one would be excluded from the party because of their faith, religion or involvement with a communal organisation.
Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, who voted against the motion, accused Polanski of failing to show leadership and said that he should have attended the debate. Four of the party’s five MPs also opposed the policy, which has led to resignations and criticism from Jewish organisations. Polanski has rejected suggestions that he has lost control of the party and confirmed that he intends to remain leader following his defeat in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.