Green Party leader barred from Israel after Zionism motion
Zack Polanski banned from entering Israel following party's vote to define Zionism as racism.
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Green Party leader Zack Polanski has been barred from entering Israel, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. This action follows the Green Party's annual conference vote on Sunday, where members passed a motion defining Zionism as a form of racism. The vote was carried by 1,022 votes to 813.
Voter Concerns in Holborn and St Pancras
Labour favoured to keep Holborn & St Pancras seat as Greens brace for by‑election test
The contest on 8 October pits Labour’s Sagal Abdi‑Wali against Green leader Zack Polanski, with the outcome set to influence party morale and future council control in London.
The controversial motion has caused concern among voters in Holborn and St Pancras, the constituency where Mr Polanski is standing in a by-election on Thursday. Sagal Abdi-Wali, the Labour candidate contesting the seat, told The Standard that the motion has been raised by residents. Ms Abdi-Wali described the proposal as 'divisive' and stated that voters are 'worried' by it. She added that the motion is 'worrying for anyone who believes in a two-state solution'.
Mr Polanski, who is Jewish, did not participate in the vote at the party's conference in Brighton as he was campaigning in Holborn and St Pancras. The seat was vacated by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Party Division and Official Condemnation
Poll: Labour to hold 52 London seats, Greens win none
MRP survey by More in Common suggests Conservatives gain five seats and Reform UK takes one.
The Green Party conference ended with internal division over the motion, which was put forward by the Greens4Palestines group. The policy endorsed by members defines Zionism as an ideology supporting 'an ethnonationalist Jewish state' and advocates for 'a single democratic Palestinian state'. Four of the five elected Green MPs, Sian Berry, Carla Denyer, Adrian Ramsay, and Ellie Chowns, publicly stated they did not support the proposal. The fifth MP, Hannah Spencer, expressed pride in a party committed to both Jewish and Palestinian rights.
Mr Polanski's deputies also expressed differing views. Deputy leader Rachel Millward described the motion as 'problematic', while co-deputy Mothin Ali stated his support for the move. In a joint statement, the five elected Green MPs affirmed their commitment to universal human rights and opposition to discrimination, stating they would 'continue to stand in opposition to genocide, ethnic cleansing, apartheid and the illegal occupation'.
Jewish groups have condemned the motion. The Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council stated that Zionism is 'anti-racism' and that branding British Jews as 'racist' incites hatred. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the resolution as a 'clear antisemitic text' according to the IHRA definition, asserting it denies the Jewish people's right to self-determination. Foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar decided to ban Mr Polanski from entering Israel as a first step.
The Holborn and St Pancras by-election is scheduled for Thursday.
Questions this report answers
+Why has the Green Party leader been banned from Israel?
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has been banned from entering Israel because his party passed a motion at its annual conference defining Zionism as a form of racism. The vote was 1,022 in favour to 813 against. Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the resolution was antisemitic.
+What was the outcome of the Green Party conference vote?
The Green Party's annual conference voted to pass a motion defining Zionism as a form of racism. The motion received 1,022 votes in favour and 813 votes against. This decision has led to internal party divisions and international condemnation.
+How are voters in Holborn and St Pancras reacting to the motion?
According to Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali, voters in Holborn and St Pancras are expressing concern and worry about the Green Party's motion. Ms Abdi-Wali stated that residents have described the proposal as 'divisive' and are concerned about its implications for a two-state solution.
+When is the Holborn and St Pancras by-election?
The by-election for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency is scheduled to take place on Thursday. Green Party leader Zack Polanski is standing as a candidate in this election, contesting the seat vacated by Sir Keir Starmer.
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