The Green Party’s policies were called into question on GB News.
Labour’s Steve Reed condemned Zack Polanski during a GB News appearance (Image: GB News)
Labour MP Steve Reed accused Zack Polanski and the Green Party of “spreading hatred” as he discussed the rise of anti-semitism with GB News presenters Alex Armstrong and Ellie Costello. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “We need the Green Party to do what the Labour Party did and kick out members of their party who are openly anti-semitic. In my borough, where my constituency is, two Green Party candidates have been arrested for allegations of stirring up racial hatred, and instead of condemning them, the Green Party has put out a letter saying that the Labour Party is spreading cynical misinformation.
“These people were arrested for hate crimes targeting the Jewish community. One of them was back out on the doorsteps this weekend. We have photographic evidence [of them] knocking on doors now. Zack Polanski, come on, these people are spreading anti-semitic hatred. You cannot put them up for election. You cannot back them, and you cannot shut your eyes and pretend this problem doesn’t exist,” he insisted.
He also reflected on his own party’s efforts to stamp out hatred towards the Jewish community. “We’re putting record amounts of money into have security around synagogues, Jewish places, places of worship, Jewish schools, Jewish community centres.
“But they shouldn’t have to have security guards and barbed wire outside these buildings. No other faith community in this country has to face that, and nor should our Jewish community,” he insisted.
“So we have to do more to tackle it at source. So the crime and policing bill…just became law gives the Home Secretary more powers to take into account… the cumulative impact of all of these marches where there is intimidation against Jewish people, so that they can be prevented and banned if necessary.
“We’re working with schools [giving] funding to train teachers and bring speakers in to speak to students about the Holocaust and some of that what happens when antisemitism runs out of control… we’re working with universities so that the outrageous levels of anti semitism on campus, where some students have got away with targeting their fellow students just because they are Jewish, that can no longer happen.
Green Party’s Zack Polanski was slammed on GB News (Image: Getty)
“I think that the point underneath all of this is that legitimate debate about the actions of a foreign country should never, ever lead to the kind of vile hatred and attacks on British Jews in our country who have [done] nothing,” he said.
However he also pointed out society has a part to play in solving the issue. “We recognise it, and yes, we need to tackle it, but government alone can’t have all the answers.
“I think what I’ve just outlined is helpful. It’s going in the right direction, but we need the whole of society to get behind us and call this out for what it is, and that is racism pure and simple.
“We need the leaders of all faiths, not just the Jewish faith, but Christians, Muslims, all the other faiths, to come together and call out this racism when we see it. We need civil society leaders, of our communities, leaders of our businesses, to call this out for what it is,” he said