The Green Party of England and Wales is facing a severe crisis over allegations of antisemitism within its ranks, as multiple candidates have been accused of posting hate speech and conspiracy theories online. The situation escalated this week with police interventions and reports of candidates using dehumanizing language to describe Jewish people.
Metropolitan Police Arrest Candidates Over Hate Speech
On April 30, 2026, the Metropolitan Police arrested two women, aged 54 and 57, who were standing as candidates in upcoming local elections. The arrests were made on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred online, an offense under section 19 of the Public Order Act. According to the Met, the arrests followed an investigation launched after concerns were reported on April 21 regarding antisemitic material that had been posted online
.
Reports from The Jewish Chronicle indicate that one of the candidates allegedly claimed a synagogue attack was revenge, not antisemitism
.
Controversies in Newcastle and Beyond
The party’s vetting process has come under intense scrutiny following a series of revelations regarding candidates in Newcastle. BBC reporting on May 1, 2026, detailed the case of candidate Tina Annan, who was accused of running an antisemitic account using the name of Anne Frank. The account reportedly published posts calling for the killing of every single Zionist
and referred to Zionists as vermin
, rats
, and vampires
.
Other candidates in Newcastle—Dr. Philip Brookes, Chandni Chopra, and Mohammed Suleman—have also faced criticism for social media posts described by opposing parties as horrendous antisemitic
comments.
Beyond Newcastle, other alarming claims have surfaced. According to Jewish News, a dossier of social media posts revealed candidates using extreme rhetoric, including one individual who referred to Jewish cockroaches
and another who claimed Zionists in the Soviet Union killed 20 million Christians
.
Party Leadership Response
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has attempted to downplay the scale of the problem. During a visit to Newcastle on April 27, 2026, Polanski stated he had confidence in 99%
of his candidates and suggested that the vetting concerns related to only a handful
of individuals.
“I do not believe the Green Party had any more of a problem than any other political party or in society.” Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party
Despite these assertions, the party has previously acknowledged the need for reform. In May 2024, the party stated it was working with Lord Mann, the government’s independent advisor on antisemitism, to better educate Green representatives about anti-Jewish racism
.
Key Takeaways: The Green Party Antisemitism Crisis
- Police Action: Two female candidates were arrested on April 30, 2026, for allegedly stirring up racial hatred.
- Dehumanizing Language: Reports indicate candidates used terms such as
cockroaches
,rats
, andvermin
in online posts. - Vetting Failures: Multiple candidates across Newcastle, London, and Bournemouth have been linked to antisemitic conspiracy theories.
- Leadership Stance: Leader Zack Polanski maintains the party is no more prone to antisemitism than other UK political parties.
FAQ: Understanding the Allegations
What is the “stirring up racial hatred” charge?
Under section 19 of the Public Order Act, it is a criminal offense to use threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior with the intent to stir up racial hatred, or where racial hatred is likely to be stirred up.
How has the Green Party responded to the specific Newcastle claims?
The party leadership has condemned antisemitism in principle but has defended the vast majority of its candidate slate, asserting that the issues are isolated to a tiny number of individuals.
Is this a new problem for the party?
No. The party has faced similar allegations in 2024, leading to the dropping of at least three candidates and a partnership with Lord Mann to improve internal education on antisemitism.
As the local elections approach, the Green Party remains under pressure to prove that its commitment to social justice extends to the protection of the Jewish community and the rigorous vetting of its representatives.