UK Green Party gambling on anti-Israel politics, former deputy leader warns 'Post' - exclusive

Former UK Green Party deputy leader Shahrar Ali warns that the party has undergone an ideological transformation under leader Zack Polanski, marked by rising antisemitism, Islamist influence, and electoral opportunism. Ali describes weaponized disciplinary processes, a shift away from the party's secular eco-focused identity, and a Gaza-centric strategy aimed at winning Muslim voters.

Former UK Green Party deputy leader Shahrar Ali warns that the party has undergone an ideological transformation under leader Zack Polanski, marked by rising antisemitism, Islamist influence, and electoral opportunism. In an exclusive interview with The Jerusalem Post, Ali described weaponized disciplinary processes, a shift away from the party's traditional secular eco-focused identity, and a Gaza-centric electoral strategy aimed at winning Muslim voters. Ali, a member for nearly 20 years, has a history of disciplinary disputes with the party, including a 2022 legal action over discrimination and a two-year exclusion in 2024. He was suspended again on October 7, 2026, after condemning the party's 'Zionism is racism' motion. Ali attributes the transformation to rapid membership growth and a failure to vet new members, including 'Corbynista types' expelled from Labour for antisemitism. He argues the party is now promoting a Muslim agenda and has a blind spot regarding the rise of antisemitic hatred in the UK. The framing relies on a single source's account without independent verification.