日本語
한국어
Polski
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Français
Português
Italiano
Svenska
繁體中文
Dansk
// DOSSIER — zack-polanski-green-party-anti-zionist-declaration
Zack Polanski's Anti-Zionist Declaration and the Green Party's Eco-Socialist Shift
REL_TIME: 29 Sep 2026 13:12Z · LANG: EN
Zack Polanski, the leader of the UK Green Party, has become the first modern leader of a major British political party to explicitly identify as an 'anti-Zionist.' Speaking at a Jewish hustings for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election in September 2026, Polanski—who is himself Jewish—defined Zionism in its current practice as 'racist' due to the displacement and alleged genocide of Palestinians. This declaration coincides with a broader transformation of the Green Party into an 'eco-populist' force, often described as 'Watermelons' (green on the outside, socialist red on the inside). While Polanski's leadership has seen a surge in membership to over 200,000 and a historic by-election win in Gorton and Denton, he faces internal and external criticism for prioritizing pro-Gaza and socialist issues over traditional environmentalism, as well as a recent decline in polling numbers.
// Background
Zack Polanski, born David Paulden, grew up in a Jewish community in Salford and was active in the Zionist youth movement Habonim Dror. He changed his name at 18 to honor his heritage and worked as a hypnotherapist before entering politics. After joining the Green Party from the Liberal Democrats, he won the leadership in 2025 with an 85% mandate. The Green Party has historically balanced 'deep ecology' with 'social ecology,' but under Polanski, it has moved decisively toward a 'watermelon' platform that links environmental destruction to capitalism and the '1%'.
// Key Developments
- Polanski is the first modern UK party leader to self-identify as an 'anti-Zionist' during a public hustings.
- The Green Party leader defines Zionism as 'racist' when associated with the displacement and genocide of Palestinians.
- Green Party membership has surged to approximately 225,000 under Polanski's 'eco-populist' leadership.
- A controversial 'Zionism is Racism' motion is set for debate at the Green Party conference on October 2, 2026.
- Polanski describes his personal journey of 'de-Zionizing' after being raised in a Zionist household in Salford.
- The party is increasingly viewed as the primary electoral force on the British left, filling a perceived vacuum left by Labour.
// Timeline
-
Zack Polanski wins the Green Party leadership with a landslide 85% of the vote.
-
The Green Party wins its first-ever parliamentary by-election in Gorton and Denton.
-
NHS Wales pauses gender-based surgeries, prompting criticism from Wales Green leader Anthony Slaughter.
-
The Guardian publishes an analysis of Polanski's 'Watermelon' eco-populism.
-
Polanski declares himself an 'anti-Zionist' at a Jewish hustings in London.
-
Green Party autumn conference begins, featuring a scheduled debate on a 'Zionism is Racism' motion.
-
Polling day for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election.
// Perspectives
[Zack Polanski]
Identifies as an anti-Zionist and eco-socialist; views Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and apartheid.
[Russell Warfield (Author)]
Argues Polanski's leadership is the culmination of a 50-year evolution toward eco-socialism rather than a 'hostile takeover'.
[Board of Deputies of British Jews]
Generally pro-Israel; hosted the heated hustings where Polanski's remarks drew boos from the audience.
[Anthony Slaughter (Wales Green Party Leader)]
Focuses on social justice and healthcare equity, specifically criticizing the pause of gender-affirming surgeries in Wales.
[Conservative and Liberal Democrat Candidates]
Explicitly identify as Zionists, supporting Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state.
// Quotes
“I’m an anti-Zionist, which I know is difficult for people in this room to hear… I think countries have always been ideas and I think things change over time.”
“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.”
“Never again means never again. Not just for one group of people, but for every single group of people.”
