Israel Bars British Green Party Leader Over Anti-Zionist Stance

Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced on Sunday that Zac Polanski, the leader of the British Green Party, has been barred from entering Israel. The decision follows the party's recent conference resolution that defined Zionism as an "ethno-nationalist political project" and a form of racism, while also endorsing the establishment of "one democratic state across all of historic Palestine." Polanski, who identifies as anti-Zionist, abstained in the vote, which passed with 1,022 in favor and 813 against. Prior to the vote, Polanski stated in an interview that while "human beings have a right to exist," he declined to confirm Israel's right to exist.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the measure against Polanski was coordinated with relevant authorities and is "a first step." In a strong condemnation, the ministry accused the Green Party of ceasing to function as a political party and becoming a "terror-supporting body." It asserted that the party's call for a state "from the river to the sea" legitimizes armed struggle and effectively means "the destruction of the State of Israel." The ministry further characterized the resolution as a clear violation of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, denying the Jewish people's right to self-determination.

In protest, Matan Bar Noy, head of the World Zionist Organization's delegation to Britain and Europe, tore up a copy of the resolution in front of the British Parliament. "This decision I tear up and cast to where it belongs, into the dustbin of history," Bar Noy declared, echoing a gesture previously made by Chaim Herzog who tore up a UN resolution equating Zionism with racism. Israel's Ambassador to the European Union, Avi Nir, also condemned the decision, stating, "If Zionism is racism, then I am a proud racist."