Zack Polanski, the Green Party leader and the only Jewish leader of a major UK political party, has accused Labour of “using Jewish pain” to justify an “authoritarian” agenda after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood hinted at banning pro-Palestinian marches. The row follows an antisemitic attack in Golders Green on Wednesday, where a man stabbed two Jewish men.
Polanski told The Independent: “It is an outrage that this increasingly authoritarian government would now seek to use the pain of the Jewish community to seek further restrictions on the rights to peaceful protest. The Green Party will fight any restrictions on peaceful protest, whatever the cause, every step of the way.”
Home Office minister Mike Tapp responded: “I’m disgusted that anyone with this view is leading any political party. The Green Party has hit a new low.” Mahmood had earlier said she would not hesitate to use new powers to stop marches, after the terror laws watchdog warned that antisemitic language is “incubated” at such protests.
Polanski added: “Jewish communities are waking up this morning feeling incredibly scared after another attack. This is a time for politicians to work together to protect Jewish people – but some party leaders are instead using this moment to make party political attacks.” He stressed that any response curtailing civil liberties would be wrong.
The Gaza issue has become a key dividing line between Labour and the Greens, with the Greens recently winning a by-election in Manchester partly by targeting Muslim voters. Polling suggests Labour could lose 1,850 council seats in May’s local elections, while the Greens are expected to gain 500, particularly in London.
