Polanski says 'Palestine on the ballot' as he returns to sectarian tactics in desperate last-ditch bid to win over voters

By SOPHIE CHURCH - POLITICAL REPORTER Published: 22:53, 6 May 2026 | Updated: 22:53, 6 May 2026 Zack Polanski has claimed that Palestine is 'on the ballot' at the local elections in a shameless, last-ditch bid to win over sectarian votes. As the public heads to the polls, the Green Party leader said on Wednesday the ongoing conflict in Gaza would be of key concern to voters – in a brazen attempt to shore up the pro-Palestine vote for the Greens. Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, Mr Polanski confirmed he saw Palestine as 'one of the things' on the ballot paper – despite being reminded Brits should be voting to improve bin collections, schools, hospitals and potholes at local elections. When challenged, he said: 'I think lots of people feel very strongly both about their local services – as they should do – and feel equally strongly that a reprehensible genocide is happening.' And he even claimed that Palestine being a vote-deciding issue for the public would 'contribute to community cohesion' – despite Jewish people currently facing one of the biggest ever threats to their safety in Britain. This comes as the Greens have plunged into crisis after allowing scores of antisemitic members to run as candidates in the local elections. The Daily Mail revealed this week the party has now been forced to investigate more than 30 candidates for alleged antisemitism. But Mr Polanski on Wednesday reignited a furious row with Britain's top police chief by incorrectly claiming the Golders Green terror suspect was handcuffed by officers. Zack Polanski has claimed that Palestine is 'on the ballot' at the local elections in a shameless, last-ditch bid to win over sectarian votes Mr Polanski's approval ratings slumped by 14 points this week after he was publicly rebuked by Sir Mark Rowley over his response to the Golders Green attack In the same interview, Mr Polanski said he was 'traumatised by seeing someone handcuffed and repeatedly kicked in the head'. The Green leader was forced last week into a squirming apology after appearing to criticise Met police officers for their handling of the arrest. Responding to the Green leader's comments, shadow home secretary Chris Philp said on Wednesday that Mr Polanski and the Greens are 'dangerous and deluded' and are 'part of the antisemitism crisis the UK faces'. He added: 'Polanski should keep his armchair policing views to himself. He wasn't there and hasn't spoken to anyone who was. Polanski has no idea - and apparently doesn't care - about the pressure and danger those officers were in. I fully support the police to keep us safe. Polanski does not.' And Housing Secretary Steve Reed called the Green leader out for 'still refusing to sack candidates who have shared disgusting antisemitic posts despite saying he takes full responsibility for them'. He said: 'Following the horrific knife attack on two Jewish men in Golders Green he continues to show concern for the suspected attacker.' 'And his response to allegations that he lied about his past job and qualifications shows he simply can't be trusted.' This comes as Mr Polanski was forced yet again to apologise for claiming he was a spokesman for the British Red Cross while crowdfunding for his deputy leadership campaign. He explained he had hosted fundraisers for the charity in the past but accepted he had used 'the wrong word' when describing himself as a spokesman. As more Green Party scandals come to light, a new poll published on Wednesday had 16 per cent of voters identifying Mr Polanski as 'weird'. And Mr Polanski's approval ratings slumped by 14 points this week after the Green leader was publicly rebuked by Sir Mark Rowley over his response to the Golders Green attack. But days later he said the commissioner's move to publish an open letter was not 'an appropriate way to do politics' and added that the police should not be above scrutiny. Still thinking of going Green on Thursday? Read their daft and dangerous policies...  A bid to legalise all drugs – including crack cocaine, heroin, MDMA, ketamine and date-rape drug GHB – would come with the Greens looking to partner with South American drug cartels to see a 'sustainable supply of cocoa and cocaine' flowing into Britain. The party wants cocaine drinks brought to the high street and Class A drugs sold at nightclubs and festivals – with primary children taught how to take drugs safely. Alongside legalising prostitution, the party would make access to pornography a free-for-all while brothels could set up legally on our high streets. Britain's defence budget would be slashed with more spent on foreign aid than keeping the country safe – with our Trident nuclear deterrent mothballed under a 'non-offensive defence strategy'. They also believe 'it should not be a crime' to sympathise with terrorist groups. Leader Zack Polanski advocates leaving the alliance and wants to spend less on American weapons as part of a dismantling of the countries’ alignment. The Greens plan to reduce the speed limit on motorways to just 55mph. They would 'incrementally' increase taxes on driving and reduce parking spaces, cracking down on motorists. Labelled a 'clear symbol of the inequality that exists in our society', the Royal Family would go. Free housing and NHS for migrants Illegal migrants would be given a free house and paid a wage with no requirement to work under the Greens' immigration policy. They would also be given free access to the NHS as soon as they set foot in Britain. Rather than locking up criminals, the Greens favour 'restorative justice' that requires felons to 'make amends' to their victims. They would grant those in jail the right to vote and replace women's prisons with 'custodial centres'. Britain would rejoin the European Union with Mr Polanski pledging to spend £8.4billion to bring down energy bills. Punitive regulation and taxes would squeeze private landlords out of the market. Those with Airbnbs would pay business rates with double tax on empty buildings. A 'Holiday Tax' on Frequent Fliers A 'frequent flyer' levy would be introduced to punish those who travel more regularly with holidaymakers facing taxes of up to £585. Scrap Ofsted and school league tables Ofsted would be abolished and school league tables scrapped. No religious group could run a state school. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. 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