Zack Polanski has declared his intention to remain as the leader of the Green Party, despite facing significant criticism from within his own ranks and a recent by-election loss. The comments come after a controversial party conference motion that defined Zionism as a form of racism, a debate Polanski controversially abstained from.

The internal dissent escalated with calls for Polanski's resignation from Vivien Lichtenstein, the leader of the Jewish Greens. Lichtenstein stated that Polanski's decision to avoid the debate on the Zionism motion was a "big mistake" and that he had not engaged with the Jewish Greens committee. Her criticism echoed sentiments previously expressed by former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas.

Polanski, who recently came second in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, losing to Labour candidate Sagal Abdi-Wali, told BBC Breakfast that he would "absolutely stay on as leader" and had "not questioned that." While the Green Party did not win the seat, their vote share increased by 22% compared to the 2024 general election, a point Polanski’s supporters might highlight.

Caroline Lucas, a prominent figure in the Green Party, had initially suggested Polanski should have attended the vote on the motion, describing it as "dangerous and flawed." However, she later tempered her remarks, acknowledging Polanski's transformative leadership and expressing hope for his help in resolving internal party issues.

The motion in question, passed by party members, advocated for a single democratic Palestinian state in historic Palestine. Polanski, when addressing the controversy, confirmed he would not have voted for the "imperfect motion" without amendments. He also stated that the "displacement and genocide of the Palestinian people is clearly underpinned by a racist ideology."

Further complicating matters, Polanski was pressed on whether he believes Israel has a right to exist. He responded by stating he does not believe "any state has the right to oppress or to commit apartheid and certainly not genocide on another people," and added that "that's not a state that anyone should be supporting."

This internal turmoil and the by-election result place Polanski under considerable pressure. The party had hoped for a stronger showing in a seat previously held by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, adding to the significance of the electoral outcome.

The ongoing debate within the Green Party highlights a broader challenge for political movements in navigating complex international issues and internal party policy. The resolution of these internal divisions will be crucial for the party's future direction and electoral prospects.