Israel bans Zack Polanski after Green Party backs 'Zionism is racism' motion
Israel bans Zack Polanski after Green Party backs 'Zionism is racism' motion Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 10/05/2026 - 10:04 Israel's foreign ministry accuses Green Party of legitimising 'destruction of the state of Israel' Zack Polanski (right), poses for a photo in London on 12 September, ahead of the Holborn and St Pancras by-election (AFP/Toby Shepheard) Off Israel has banned Green Party…
Israel has barred Green Party leader Zack Polanski from entering the country following a controversial decision by the party. The Green Party approved a motion declaring "Zionism is racism" at their conference, a resolution that Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs deemed "a clear antisemitic text" that denies the Jewish people's right to self-determination.
According to the Law of Return, individuals with at least one Jewish grandparent and their spouses are legally allowed to enter and reside in Israel. However, Israel can ban certain individuals if they pose a security risk or question the state's legitimacy, often targeting political opponents. The Green Party is now the first major party in the UK to recognize Zionism as a form of racism and back a single democratic Palestinian state with equal rights for all ethnic and religious groups.
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Also reported by 5 other outlets
- Jewish Greens chair says she could leave party over 'Zionism is racism' motion bbc.co.uk
- Israel bars UK Green leader after party votes to define Zionism as racism euronews.com
- Israel bans Zack Polanski after Green Party backs 'Zionism is racism' motion middleeasteye.net
- UK Green Party declares Zionism is racism, angering Israel al-monitor.com
- UK Green Party votes to define Zionism as ‘racism’ aljazeera.com
