As antisemitism in the UK remains alarmingly prevalent — with 3,700 incidents reported in 2025 alone — singling out British Jews for government oversight would convey a deeply troubling message.
Zack Polanski, leader of the UK Green Party, recently signed an open letter calling on the British government to “track the movements of Brits who have served in the IDF” and to “subject them to secondary screening where necessary at ports of entry.”
The proposal would create a government system focused on individuals because of their dual nationality and lawful military service in the armed forces of a democratic ally.
The letter, organized by Declassified UK and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) and sent to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, advocates government scrutiny of these individuals, but not because of any demonstrated wrongdoing.
Among those who signed the letter is former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has been widely accused of antisemitism. Corbyn, a member of Parliament, co-founded the socialist Your Party in July 2025 with MP Sarah Sultana, who, among other anti-Israel activities, posted on social media that students who identified as Zionists should be ashamed and has accused Israel of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
The letter “seems to be another attempt to demonize Israelis and promote an atmosphere of intimidation against British Jews,” a spokesperson for the Board of Deputies of British Jews told the Jewish News.
Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative Party chairman, condemned the letter in comments to The Telegraph. “At a time when antisemitism is on the rise, Zack Polanski should not be stoking further division and hostility in our society,” he said.
Incidentally, Polanski, who is Jewish, recently defended his decision to wear a T-shirt bearing the phrase “Free Marwan” after the image drew criticism on social media. Barghouti is serving five life sentences in Israel for terrorism.
Polanski is also a member of Na’amod, an organization of British Jews who say they seek “to end our community’s support for Israel’s occupation and apartheid.”
In May, Polanski reposted a tweet criticizing police officers over their treatment of a suspect who stabbed and seriously wounded two people in the predominantly Jewish neighborhood of Golders Green in London and who also attempted to stab police officers. Polanski later apologized for “sharing a tweet in haste” after facing backlash.
Zac Goldsmith, a Jewish member of the House of Lords from the Conservative Party, described the Green Party as “one of the greatest threats to Jewish people in the UK.”
Polanski “offered up his Jewishness as a tool for mass laundering of antisemitism. He’s done so not because he is antisemitic, but because he is an opportunist and is tapping into a large and growing market,” Goldsmith posted on X.
The letter has so far gathered more than 19,000 signatures and the backing of over 60 prominent figures, including human rights activists.
Please take action! Sign this letter to urge the UK government to reject this dangerous proposal.
https://actionbutton.nationbuilder.com/share/SPK-QElIRUE=
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