🚨 NEW: Zack Polanski has broken his silence on the “Zionism is racism” Green Party motion
“Antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli state are, and must always be, completely distinct – blurring the line between the two is not only wrong but antisemitic, and makes Jewish people less safe. It’s our role as a movement for justice to protect both the rights of Palestinians and our Jewish communities here in the UK. As leader I will not accept any exclusion, or refusal to engage with anyone, because of the religious or communal body they are part of.
“I take seriously my responsibility to make sure everyone feels safe and welcome in our party. Under my leadership, no-one will be made unwelcome because of their background, their faith, or where they worship. As leader, my role is to bring people together and ensure we are all working in unity for the things we believe in and care about: freedom and safety for all.
“I am proud of our party’s principled position on fighting for freedom and justice for Palestinians.
“In the UK and across the world people have been horrified by the atrocities carried out by the Israeli government in Gaza - with a classroom of children being killed every day.
“Through the Green Party’s unified stance and dedicated pressure, we have begun to shift this government away from its complicity with the Israeli government’s atrocities in Gaza, with the Foreign Secretary now taking the long overdue step of ending trade with illegal settlements.
“When I was elected leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, I was so proud to stand as a Jewish party leader, side by side with my deputy leaders Mothin and Rachel. Together, we exemplify everything this party stands for: we come from different backgrounds, faiths and traditions, but we share our deeply held values of compassion, fairness and equality for all”