Brief
Green Party leader calls himself anti‑Zionist ahead of conference debate
Zack Polanski says he is an anti‑Zionist while the Green Party conference will consider a motion that describes Zionism as racism.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green party, announced he identifies as an anti‑Zionist as the party’s conference readies a motion that labels Zionism as racism, according to The Guardian.
What happened
The Green party’s upcoming conference will feature a debate on a motion stating “Zionism is racism.” Polanski’s personal stance was disclosed in the lead‑up to the event, positioning him among critics who view Zionism as a colonial project.
What the report adds
The Guardian outlines the historical roots of modern Zionism, tracing it to the late 1800s and the political vision of Theodor Herzl, while noting earlier philosophical ideas such as Martin Buber’s proposal for a binational Arab‑Jewish state. It also cites Professor Dov Waxman, who described Zionism for many Jews as “Jewish liberation and sovereignty, a safe haven from persecution, a revival of the Hebrew language, and a renewed sense of collective pride, especially after the Holocaust.”
What was said
Polanski is quoted as saying he is an anti‑Zionist. Professor Dov Waxman’s description of Zionism appears in the article, attributed to his recent piece in the Conversation.
How it came about
The debate emerges against a backdrop of ongoing discussions about anti‑Zionism and antisemitism in Canada, highlighted by a recent Public Safety Canada report that re‑frames anti‑Zionism as a driver of anti‑Jewish hate (Felo News, 30 Sept 2026). The Green party’s motion reflects broader left‑wing criticism that links Zionism to colonialism, displacement of Palestinians during the Nakba, and alleged apartheid‑like policies in the occupied territories.
Key facts
- Green Party leader Zack Polanski says he is an anti‑Zionist. (theguardian.com)
- The party conference will debate a motion that labels Zionism as racism. (theguardian.com)
- Modern Zionism originated in the late 1800s, associated with Theodor Herzl’s political Zionism. (theguardian.com)
- Professor Dov Waxman describes Zionism as Jewish liberation, a safe haven, and a revival of Hebrew language. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “What is Zionism and why do some critics describe it as racist?”
