The leader of the Jewish Greens has urged Zack Polanski to resign, escalating internal pressure on the Green leader to address widespread frustration over a newly passed party policy. The controversial stance equates Zionism with racism and calls for the elimination of the state of Israel.
Vivien Lichtenstein's call for resignation follows severe criticism from Caroline Lucas, the Greens’ former leader and inaugural MP. Lucas censured Polanski for a deficiency in leadership after he missed the weekend debate and subsequent vote that led to the policy's adoption.
Prior to the conference vote, Lichtenstein had indicated she was contemplating leaving the Green party of England and Wales. The approved policy designates Zionism as racism and advocates for replacing Israel with a single Palestinian state.
Polanski was absent from Sunday's conference proceedings due to campaigning for the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, where he ultimately placed second behind Labour. In subsequent interviews, Polanski stated he would have opposed the motion had he been present, noting that two amendments he backed, including one advocating for a two-state solution, were defeated.
During an interview with Times Radio, Lichtenstein argued that despite his campaign commitments, Polanski could have participated and voted online, which was a permitted option. She described his absence as a significant error.
Lichtenstein also expressed surprise at Polanski's claims that he had been collaborating with Jewish members of the party, stating that she was unaware of any such engagement with the Jewish Greens committee. When directly asked if he ought to retain his position, she answered that he should step down.
Ahead of the byelection outcome, Lucas spoke on Newsnight and asserted that Polanski should have attended and cast a vote. She characterized the motion as flawed, dangerous, and divisive for attempting to enforce a singular definition of Zionism.
While Lucas stopped short of explicitly demanding his immediate departure, she stated that she wanted him to demonstrate the leadership that was absent during the conference. She remarked that the jury remains out regarding his future, falling well short of offering full support.
Jonathan Bartley, a former Green co-leader and current Lambeth councillor, similarly urged Polanski to take accountability and issue an apology, citing a failure of leadership and a growing toxicity within the party.
Although the Green party lacks a formal mechanism to remove a leader mid-term, leaders are subject to re-election every two years. Polanski, who assumed the role in September 2025, will face party members again in less than a year.