ZACK POLANSKI CALLS ZIONISM RACIST IN ITS PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, said Zionism in its current form was racist during a BBC interview on Sunday. He said: “I think Zionism is racism in the practical application of it.” His remarks came two weeks after the party approved a motion equating Zionism with racism. Polanski did not attend the vote but said he agreed with the broad thrust of the motion.

Polanski told interviewer Laura Kuenssberg that he did not consider the motion controversial. He said 75,000 Palestinians had been murdered in recent years and claimed Palestinians were being killed because of their identity. He also claimed that the number of child amputees among Palestinians exceeded that of any other period in modern history. Polanski said debates about the motion’s wording were unhelpful.

Asked whether Israel had a right to exist, Polanski said: “I don’t think any state has a right to exist under international law.” He described a two-state solution as “for the birds”, citing what he characterised as Israel’s opposition to it. Polanski, who is Jewish, has faced criticism from prominent Jewish Green members over his handling of the vote. They include Vivien Lichtenstein, head of the Jewish Greens. Asked whether he regretted his handling of the issue, he said: “I’m not sorry at all.”