Zack Polanski has sought to contain the anti-Semitism controversy surrounding the Green Party, saying he is committed to defending the rights of Palestinians as well as British Jews.
The self-styled “eco-populist” has come under intense pressure after Green Party members passed a conference motion describing “Zionism as racism”.
Critics say the motion also appears to reject Israel’s continued existence, because it refers exclusively to the creation of a single Palestinian state.
Following Sunday’s vote, the party was branded “extremist”, while opponents condemned the motion as an attack on the Jewish community.
The backlash intensified after the Greens were reportedly referred to police and the UK’s equality watchdog over incidents and decisions linked to the Brighton conference.
The United States is also expected to raise concerns with the UK Government about the motion, according to Washington’s leading adviser on anti-Semitism.
Zack Polanski has tried to calm the anti-Semitism row engulfing the Green Party, pledging to defend the rights of Palestinians and British Jews
Green activists and supporters of Israel confronted one another outside the party’s Brighton conference this weekend
Mr Polanski, who is contesting the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, remained silent on the dispute for more than a day while concentrating on his campaign to become an MP.
However, in a statement released on Monday evening, the Jewish Green leader said his party would reject any attempt to exclude people because of their religion.
“Anti-Semitism and criticism of the Israeli state are, and must always be, completely distinct – blurring the line between the two is not only wrong but anti-Semitic, and makes Jewish people less safe,” he said.
“As a movement committed to justice, it is our responsibility to defend both Palestinian rights and Jewish communities across the UK.
“As leader, I will not tolerate anyone being excluded or refused engagement because of the religious or communal organisation to which they belong.
“I recognise the responsibility I have to ensure every member feels safe, respected and welcome within our party.
“Under my leadership, nobody will be made to feel unwelcome because of their identity, faith or place of worship.
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“My role as leader is to unite people and ensure we work together around the principles we share: freedom and safety for everyone.
“I remain proud of the Green Party’s principled commitment to securing freedom and justice for Palestinians.
“Through our united position and sustained pressure, the Green Party has helped move the Government away from what we believe has been complicity in the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, with the Foreign Secretary now taking the long-overdue step of ending trade with illegal settlements.
“When I was elected leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, I felt immense pride in becoming a Jewish party leader alongside my deputy leaders, Mothin Ali and Rachel Millward.
“Together, we represent what this party seeks to be: people from different backgrounds, faiths and traditions united by a commitment to compassion, fairness and equality for all.”
Green members in Brighton on Sunday backed the motion with 1,022 votes in favour and 813 against.
It declares the Greens to be an ‘anti-Zionist party’ and sets into its policy that Zionism, the movement to develop and protect a Jewish state in Israel, will be ‘treated as any other form of racism’.
It also supports the establishment of a ‘single democratic Palestinian State in all of historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital’.
Supporters chanted ‘say it loud, say it clear, Zionists are not welcome here’ as the campaigners behind the motion, Greens for Palestine, gathered to speak to the media.
A group of Labour MPs have asked Sussex Police to examine events at the Greens’ gathering in Brighton over the weekend.
They have also urged the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to investigate possible discrimination of Jewish members.
A spokesman for Sussex Police said: ‘We can confirm we have received a letter and are reviewing its contents to determine the appropriate next steps.’
The EHRC said it ‘receives complaints each week about allegations of unlawful activity contrary to the Equality Act 2010.’
‘We consider each complaint carefully and take action where appropriate,’ a spokeswoman added.
