Polanski vows to stay on as Green leader as criticism mounts
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has vowed to remain in his position despite calls for his resignation following a by-election defeat and internal criticism. Critics, including former leader Caroline Lucas, argue he failed to show leadership regarding a controversial party motion defining Zionism as a form of racism.
Why it matters
The internal conflict highlights ongoing tensions within political parties regarding the definition of Zionism and the challenges of maintaining party unity during sensitive ideological debates.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Zack Polanski came second to Labour in the by-election in former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's London constituency
Zack Polanski has vowed to stay on as Green Party leader after his by-election defeat, as he faced calls from within his own party to resign.
The leader of the Jewish Greens, Vivien Lichtenstein, said on Friday he "should resign", adding it was a "big mistake" for him to have dodged a debate about a party conference motion that declared Zionism a form of racism.
Lichtenstein's comments come after former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas accused Polanski of failing to show leadership over the Zionism row.
Polanski, who came second to Labour overnight in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, told BBC Breakfast he would "absolutely" stay on as leader and "of course" had not questioned that.
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