Zack Polanski is a British politician serving as Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales and a Member of the London Assembly. Raised in a Jewish family in Salford, Greater Manchester, he often references his cultural background and the ethical traditions of his heritage when discussing social justice and foreign policy.
Polanski was elected to the London Assembly in May 2021, where he has focused on climate policy, housing, and the promotion of a Universal Basic Income (UBI). In September 2022, he was elected Deputy Leader of the Green Party. As one of the highest-profile Jewish elected officials in progressive British politics, he frequently participates in cross-party initiatives and national media discussions on economic reform and environmental justice.
Polanski has been an outspoken critic of Israeli government policies and military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, calling for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the blockade, and a suspension of UK arms sales to Israel. In public commentary, he regularly addresses the distinction between Jewish identity and Israeli state policy, arguing that opposition to the occupation aligns with core Jewish values of human dignity and universal rights. He has also joined public demonstrations in London advocating for Palestinian self-determination.
Polanski is one of the signatories of the 2025 public statement, “Global Jewish Call on the UN and World Leaders to Sanction Israel,” which urged international bodies to impose arms embargoes, political sanctions, and legal measures against Israel to enforce international law.