Zack Polanski disowned by own family over anti-Semitism claims | Politics | News
Zack Polanski’s relatives have launched a scathing attack on the Green Party leader, with one likening his support for sanctions on Israel as “like a chicken telling us to vote KFC”. And several fear they would be forced to flee Britain if he ever reached 10 Downing Street, with the party set to declare Zionism as racism at its spring conference on Saturday.
The motion, set for debate and vote today, would brand the Greens an explicitly anti-Zionist party, reject key definitions of anti-Semitism that equate anti-Zionism with Jew-hatred, impose sanctions on Israel and endorse โresistance and liberation from Israeli occupationโ โ language critics say effectively backs Hamas attacks.
Born into a Jewish family in Salford, former actor and hypnotist Mr Polanski has repeatedly declared himself โproud of my Jewish heritageโ. However, three extended family members who no longer speak to him told the Daily Mail his political ambition has trumped loyalty to his community and roots.
One relative said: โHeโs currently the leader of the future Islamic party of Britain โ thatโs what the Green Party is fast becoming. And there would be no place for Jews in an Islamic state of Britain.โ
A second family member warned the motion would make the Greens โthe most anti-Semitic party in British history since Oswald Mosleyโs British Union of Fascistsโ. They added: โThe idea of it is one of the most sickening things Iโve heard in a long time.โ
The third delivered the sharpest blow: โThe mad thing is that heโs gay, heโs Jewish but heโs cosying up to people whose ideology is the complete antithesis of everything that heโs supposed to stand for. Itโs like heโs a chicken, telling us to vote for KFC.โ
Under Mr Polanskiโs leadership, the party โ which seized a surprise by-election win last month โ has drawn an influx of alleged Islamists and far-Left activists, drifting far from its environmental origins.
A mere 5 % of conference motions focus on protecting the planet; others call for abolishing London City Airport, quitting NATO and shifting funds from police and prisons to drug consumption rooms.
The Jewish Greens group, of which Mr Polanski was once a member, said the motion would feel to many Jews like โan attack on that very basic right of aspiring to lead a safe and secure lifeโ. The Campaign Against Antisemitism accused the party of โnot only tolerating but amplifying some of the worst rhetoric that we have seen in British politics in a generationโ.
Daily Mail alleges only Mr Polanskiโs mother, Ava, still speaks to him. Relatives say she disagrees with his politics but loves him as her son and remains proud of his achievements.
Mr Polanskiโs transformation has stunned those closest to him. Once part of a โvery Zionist householdโ, the leader now champions policies that relatives believe endanger Jews โ including potentially his own family.
A Green Party spokesman hit back: โZack is one of five Jewish leaders of a political party in British history and the harassment he has received since being elected is patently anti-Semitic. Reporting like this demeans the Press and our democracy.โ
Express.co.uk has contacted the Green Party for further comment.
