ZACK Polanski has accused a leading magazine of antisemitism after an article claimed many British Jews see him as a “traitor to his origins”.
The leader of the Green Party in England and Wales questioned why people “feel so emboldened to write this shit” after The Economist published a story which explored how he has “embraced the anti-Israel fervour that has swept the new left”.
In the profile piece, journalist Andrew Miller wrote that under Polanski’s leadership, Gaza has become a “Green touchstone” and that he was no longer a “disciple of Jewish ideas”.
Miller also wrote that Polanski has “helped enshrine opposition to Israel as a shibboleth of the left” and that a childhood acquaintance said his “ancestors would ask, ‘Are you a meshugana?’ (Yiddish for a crazy person)”.
Sharing an extract of the profile on social media, the Economist wrote: “These days many British Jews see Zack Polanski as a traitor to his origins, not a disciple of Jewish ideas.
“Our profile explores how he has embraced the anti-Israel fervour that has swept the new left.”
The Green Party leader shortly reshared the post on Twitter/X where he said: “Seems pretty antisemitic to me.
“How have we got to the place that they feel so emboldened to write this shit?”
Others were quick to also share their disappointment and outrage over the Economist post, with journalist Paul Holden saying the news outlet should be “ashamed”.
He said: “This utterly shameful. Beyond the pale. Disgusting.
“The Economist should be ashamed of itself.”
Miller outlines Polanski’s Jewish upbringing in his profile, including how he was bullied for his religious beliefs growing up and how it has been “incredibly painful” for him after being “denounced by fellow Jews”.
The Green Party leader has previously called out other publications for antisemitism, including The Times, after the news outlet published a cartoon of him kicking a police officer in the head as they restrained the suspect in the Golders Green attack where two Jewish men were stabbed.
He also took to social media in March after an article from the Daily Mail quoted one of his family members saying he is “the leader of the future Islamic party of Britain”.
The article featured three extended family members who Polanski is no longer in contact with.
Responding, Polanski pointed out that he is currently the only Jewish person in charge of a political party, adding: “The Daily Mail have been and always will be my enemy – they historically supported fascists and continue to do so.
“I'll take no lectures from them on antisemitism.”
The Economist has been approached for comment.
