London, United Kingdom, by-election proceeds amid debate over Green Party stance on Zionism

The London by-election is scheduled for 8 October amid a debate over the position of Zach Polanski, leader of the British Green Party, on Zionism. At a party congress, a resolution treating Zionism as racism was supported by 1,022 members and opposed by 813, according to one report. Report 1 describes the same resolution as classifying Zionism as racism and advocating a single Palestinian state. Report 2 adds that it calls for a single democratic Palestinian state on all historical Palestinian territory and rejects the two-state solution endorsed by the United Nations.

The resolution has drawn significant internal and external criticism, Report 1 says. Report 2 reports that the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs called it “a clearly anti-Semitic text.”

Report 2 says Polanski, a 43-year-old former hypnotist, did not vote on the resolution because he left the conference early to campaign. He holds an elected position on the London Council and, according to that report, aims to become the sixth member of parliament in the 650-seat British Parliament.

During an election meeting, Polanski said he opposed Zionism but that Palestinian support is not inherently incompatible with protecting Jews, Report 1 states. Some attendees objected to his remarks. Opposing voices at the meeting show why claims are best tested openly before they are judged (Proverbs 18:17).

The two reports differ on the seat at stake. Report 2 says the by-election aims to replace Labour Party leader Andy Birnam in a parliamentary seat. Report 1 says the Labour Party is expected to retain the seat previously held by former Prime Minister Kirstarmer. Report 1 also says the by-election tests the Green Party’s ability to attract left-wing voters.

Voting begins at 7:00 AM and closes at 10:00 PM, Report 2 says, with results expected by the early hours of Friday.