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Left Foot Forward
'What is it going to take for this government to actually put robust sanctions on Israel?'
'What is it going to take for this government to actually put robust sanctions on Israel?'
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has demanded that the government impose robust sanctions on Israel after at least 254 people have been killed by Israel’s bombing campaign in Lebanon.
Polanski dedicated part of his speech at the Greens’ local election campaign launch in Deptford to talking about the situation in Lebanon and Iran.
Speaking about Israel’s bombing campaign in Lebanon over the last 24 hours, he said: “What is it going to take for this government to actually put robust sanctions on Israel?”.
In addition to those who have been killed, over 1,000 people are estimated to have been injured.
Polanski said it was “outrageous” that “Israel are still enjoying diplomatic and trade privileges from the international community.”
The Green Party leader said that the government must impose more “robust sanctions” and withdraw the UK-Israel trade agreement.
Polanski added: “We know it’s not just Lebanon. We also see this going on in Iran.”
He said that Keir Starmer “not being entirely truthful” with the country by saying that the UK is not involved in Donald Trump and Israel’s war in Iran.
Referring to the fact that the US is still using UK bases to fly over to and bomb Iran, he said that the government must ban the US from using British airspaces.
“What we need to do is distangle [sic] the UK military and the US military. Ban the US from using our airspaces and do exactly what other European allies like Pedro Sánchez in Spain have done and say this war is not in our name and we want nothing to do with it,” Polanski said.
Polanski also slammed Nigel Farage’s initial support for the UK to get more involved in the Iran war, which he said “would not just be a humanitarian disaster” but would mean “higher bills” and rising rents.
He said that the Greens will make housing a focus of its local election campaign, advocating for rent controls and the total abolition of leasehold, a policy which Labour committed to in its 2024 manifesto, but has since watered down.
Polanski said that the Greens will also push to deliver more social and affordable housing, claiming that “failing Labour councils” aren’t delivering enough.
He pointed to the Greens’ record in Lewes and Mid Suffolk, where he said Green-led councils have built hundreds of new council homes in recent years.
UK Green Party sets sights on targeting trade union members disillusioned with Labour
Zack Polanski is set to make keynote speeches at several trade union conferences
Green Party leader Zack Polanski is set to make multiple keynote speeches at upcoming trade union conferences.
The move is part of the Greens’ strategy to win over trade union members who are disillusioned with Labour under Keir Starmer’s leadership.
The Times has reported that Polanski has spoken with 10 unions, including some that are affiliated to Labour.
The Green Party leader will make keynote speeches at five upcoming trade union conferences.
Sources told Left Foot Forward that Polanski would need to be formally invited to speak at union conferences, including the annual Trades Union Congress conference.
Polanski told The Times that a “crucial part” of replacing Labour as the main left-wing choice for voters was to “connect with the organised labour movement”.
When he was elected the new leader of the Green Party last September, Polanski said: “My message to Labour is very clear. We’re not here to be disappointed by you […] [or concerned by you. We’re here to replace you.”
He said his conversations so far with unions had been “really fruitful”.
Polanski told The Times: “Historically, most trade unions have been very strongly linked to the Labour Party but that link is starting to break as it becomes clear the Labour Party is no longer the party of working people.
“Since becoming leader I’ve had lots of really fruitful conversations with key union figures, and it’s clear that many people in trade unions are feeling really let down by this Labour government and are ready to work more closely with the Green Party.”
A Green source told the newspaper that Polanski’s goal is to stop the unions funding Labour, rather than getting them to directly support the Green Party.
The Green Party has been contacted for comment.
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
30 March, 2026
Zack Polanski is set to make keynote speeches at several trade union conferences
Green Party leader Zack Polanski is set to make multiple keynote speeches at upcoming trade union conferences.
The move is part of the Greens’ strategy to win over trade union members who are disillusioned with Labour under Keir Starmer’s leadership.
The Times has reported that Polanski has spoken with 10 unions, including some that are affiliated to Labour.
The Green Party leader will make keynote speeches at five upcoming trade union conferences.
Sources told Left Foot Forward that Polanski would need to be formally invited to speak at union conferences, including the annual Trades Union Congress conference.
Polanski told The Times that a “crucial part” of replacing Labour as the main left-wing choice for voters was to “connect with the organised labour movement”.
When he was elected the new leader of the Green Party last September, Polanski said: “My message to Labour is very clear. We’re not here to be disappointed by you […] [or concerned by you. We’re here to replace you.”
He said his conversations so far with unions had been “really fruitful”.
Polanski told The Times: “Historically, most trade unions have been very strongly linked to the Labour Party but that link is starting to break as it becomes clear the Labour Party is no longer the party of working people.
“Since becoming leader I’ve had lots of really fruitful conversations with key union figures, and it’s clear that many people in trade unions are feeling really let down by this Labour government and are ready to work more closely with the Green Party.”
A Green source told the newspaper that Polanski’s goal is to stop the unions funding Labour, rather than getting them to directly support the Green Party.
The Green Party has been contacted for comment.
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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