What happened
Zack Polanski and the "Zionism is Racism" motion
On 4 October 2026 the Green Party of England and Wales, led by Zack Polanski, voted by 1,022 to 813 to declare that Zionism is racism. Polanski did not vote. Three days later the party was referred to the Equality and Human Rights Commission over the motion. On 9 October Polanski lost the Holborn and St Pancras by-election to Labour, by 8,928 votes to 12,292.
The record, day by day
: The Green Party votes that Zionism is racism, and its leader does not vote
At its autumn conference at the Brighton Centre, the Green Party of England and Wales passed the "Zionism is Racism" motion by 1,022 votes to 813. The motion declares the Greens an anti-Zionist party. Zack Polanski, the party's leader, skipped the vote.
Source: Jewish Telegraphic Agency
: The Green Party is referred to the Equality and Human Rights Commission over the motion
The Campaign Against Antisemitism referred the Green Party to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, asking it to investigate whether the party has discriminated against Jewish members contrary to the Equality Act 2010. Seventeen Labour MPs wrote to the Commission's chair asking it to consider whether the party has broken the law.
Source: Campaign Against Antisemitism; Jewish News
: Zack Polanski loses the Holborn and St Pancras by-election
Green Party leader Zack Polanski lost the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, five days after his party declared that Zionism is racism. Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali won with 12,292 votes to his 8,928.
Source: HuffPost UK
Questions people ask
Did Zack Polanski vote for the "Zionism is Racism" motion?
No. He skipped the vote. The motion passed at the Green Party's conference in Brighton on 4 October 2026 by 1,022 votes to 813, while he was the party's leader, and it is now Green Party policy.
Did Zack Polanski win the Holborn and St Pancras by-election?
No. On 9 October 2026, five days after his party declared that Zionism is racism, Labour's Sagal Abdi-Wali won the Holborn and St Pancras by-election with 12,292 votes to his 8,928.
Has the Green Party been reported to the Equality and Human Rights Commission?
Yes. On 7 October 2026 the Campaign Against Antisemitism referred the Green Party to the Equality and Human Rights Commission over the motion, asking it to investigate whether the party has discriminated against Jewish members contrary to the Equality Act 2010. Seventeen Labour MPs wrote to the Commission's chair asking it to consider whether the party has broken the law.
What does the motion say?
It declares the Green Party an anti-Zionist party, says Zionism "will be treated as any other form of racism", rejects the IHRA and JDA definitions of antisemitism as "weaponised" and backs one state in all of historic Palestine. Every clause is quoted, with our response, at zionismisnotracism.co.uk/the-motion.
Is Zionism racism?
No. Zionism is the belief that Jewish people, like the French, the Irish or the Palestinians, have the right to a homeland of their own. Calling that belief racism singles out one people, the Jews, for a rule applied to no one else. The full answer, with the law and the sources, is at zionismisnotracism.co.uk/is-zionism-racism.
What does "Sack Zack" mean?
It is this campaign's call to the Green Party: reverse the motion, and if its leader will not, he should go. Green councillors are being asked to say where they stand, and every one of them is listed, with their position, at zionismisnotracism.co.uk/the-partys-over.
Where Green councillors stand
Every sitting Green councillor in England and Wales is on the register, each with their own page. 47 put their names to the motion as supporters. 2 have signed the pledge that Zionism is not racism. 2 have left the party over it. The rest have no public position recorded.
Ask your Green councillors where they stand See the register