UK Greens’ Jewish, anti-Israel leader backs ‘monitoring’ British-Israeli IDF soldiers

Zack Polanski, the Jewish leader of Britain's Green Party, has endorsed a proposal to monitor UK-Israeli dual nationals who have served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The initiative, detailed in a letter organized by the far-left publication Declassified Britain and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, suggests tracking the entry of these individuals into the UK, citing concerns about potential war crimes.

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Nobody wants to live next to a potential war criminal – not least members of the Palestinian community in the UK who have family or friends who have been subjected to war crimes.

The letter, sent to the Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary, argues that monitoring is in the public interest, particularly for the Palestinian community in the UK. It calls for disclosure of IDF service and suggests that travelers with Israeli documents or arriving from Tel Aviv airport could face secondary screening. The signatories believe this is necessary to ensure accountability for serious crimes under international law.

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The petition seems to be another attempt to demonise Israelis and promote an atmosphere of intimidation against British Jews.

According to Declassified UK, approximately 2,000 British-Israelis have served in the IDF since the October 7 Hamas attacks. The letter also garnered signatures from other British MPs, including Dianne Abbott and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. Israel strongly denies committing war crimes in its Gaza offensive, stating it aims to minimize civilian casualties and that Hamas uses civilians as human shields.

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The call of those who have signed it, including Zack Polanski, to treat people as potential criminals just because of their passport is a unique and wholly unacceptable form of discrimination.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews condemned the petition, calling it another effort to demonize Israelis and foster intimidation against British Jews. A spokesperson for Polanski defended the action, stating that the IDF faces credible accusations of war crimes from international bodies like the UN Human Rights Council, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International.

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The IDF has been credibly accused of horrific war crimes in Gaza by bodies including the UN Human Rights Council, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, and the UK Government s