# Polanski signals Green party overhaul after Zionism vote row

> The Green party leader calls for structural reform and greater leadership control after a divisive motion equating Zionism with racism split the party.
- Title: Polanski signals Green party overhaul after Zionism vote row
- Summary: The Green party leader calls for structural reform and greater leadership control after a divisive motion equating Zionism with racism split the party. Green…
- Keywords: green party, zack polanski, zionism, party democracy, internal divisions, policy reform, news, world, Polanski, signals, Green, party
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/politics/2026/oct/11/zack-polanski-signals-green-party-overhaul-after-row-over-zionism-vote
- Published: 2026-10-11T15:00:29+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: green party, zack polanski, zionism, party democracy, internal divisions, policy reform, news, world
## Polanski calls for party overhaul
Green party leader Zack Polanski has signalled a potential overhaul of the party's grassroots democracy, calling for leaders to have greater control over strategic direction.
## Divisive Zionism motion splits party
The controversy centres on a motion passed by one thousand twenty-two members, representing about zero point four percent of total membership, declaring Zionism a form of racism.
## Motion passed despite leadership opposition
The motion passed one thousand twenty-two votes to eight hundred thirteen and was opposed by four of the party's five MPs, prompting criticism from the European Green party.
## Polanski admits leadership failings
Writing after his defeat in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection, Polanski accepts that colleagues and members may feel let down by his decision not to intervene last week.

> I put all my energy into the race in Holborn and St Pancras, despite Labour choosing the polling date so close to our conference, because I know that ultimately electoral success is how we drive change.
## Polanski questions party defining beliefs
Polanski has questioned whether political parties should seek to define what members believe, saying a narrow focus on definitions is neither desirable nor strategic.

> In my view it's not the job of a political party to tell people what to believe.
## Polanski's complex position on Zionism
Though Polanski agrees with the motion's substance on Zionism, he opposes its call for a single Palestinian state, saying it is not the British government's or Green party's role to decide.

> While many people understandably see the idea of a two-state solution as standing in the way of concrete action to end the unbearable status quo, I believe it is not up to the British government, let alone the Green party, to decide the future for Israelis and Palestinians.
## Structural reform needed for growth
Polanski says the party's rapid growth means democratic structures must evolve, creating wider member engagement while giving leaders more responsibility to set strategic direction.

> Our party democracy must now evolve to meet that, creating wider engagement for members, giving leaders more responsibility to set the party's strategic direction, and making our processes as robust and accessible as possible.
## Key takeaway

Green party leader Zack Polanski has called for party reforms giving leaders more control over strategy after a membership vote on Zionism provoked international condemnation and internal divisions.