British Green Party Leader Zach Polanski Denied Entry to Israel Over Party’s Zionism Resolution

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar denied entry to Zach Polanski, leader of the British Green Party, citing Polanski’s support for a resolution equating Zionism with racism, according to samanews.ps. Ynet reported that the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced the ban, and newturkpost.com described it as a prohibition announced by the Israeli Foreign Office. The reports differ on which office made the announcement, and the newturkpost.com account does not name a minister.

The resolution was passed at the Green Party’s annual conference and defines Zionism as “any other form of racism.” It advocates “one democratic Palestinian State on the whole (land) of historic Palestine.” According to samanews.ps, the Israeli government says the resolution legitimizes armed struggle against Israel and calls for a Palestinian state from the sea to the river. The Israeli government described the resolution as anti-Semitic and aligned it with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism.

Ynet reported that the Israeli Foreign Ministry condemned the party’s move as a “clear anti-Semitic decision” and described the Greens as a “pro-terrorist body.” Ynet also reported that the ban followed a Green Party statement declaring “Zionism is racism,” and that the party had labeled Polanski, a Jewish individual, an “entry-level Israeli.” Samanews.ps reported that Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog condemned the party’s decision, calling it a “stigma.”

Samanews.ps reported that under Polanski’s leadership the Green Party had gained popularity, particularly among voters who reject the Labour Government’s stance on the Gaza Strip conflict. It also reported that three Jewish community organizations warned before the vote that endorsing the resolution could endanger the safety of British Jews, and that Polanski faced opposition from at least three of the party’s five deputies.

Ynet reported that the Zionist Organization responded by tearing up the Greens’ decision in front of Big Ben. The organization described the act as a “throwing into the dustbin of history.” Ynet also reported that critics argue equating Zionism with racism mischaracterizes the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, while supporters frame the statement as a necessary critique. Some Christian leaders, according to ynet, called for a balanced approach, a call that reflects the peace the Christian community seeks (Romans 12:18).

A third report, from newturkpost.com, states that Israel prohibits the entry of the leader of the British Green Party following the party’s decision. The excerpt available for that report ends before giving further details.