Labour threatens Greens with 'urgent' ultimatum after Zack Polanski commits to 'antisemitic' policy

Labour threatens Greens with 'urgent' ultimatum after Zack Polanski commits to 'antisemitic' policy The Green leader has accused Andy Burnham of 'arming a genocide and locking pensioners up for opposing it' Sign up to the Politics Newsletter Email address Sign up I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules. Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us Labour has threatened the Green Party with an "urgent" ultimatum after Zack Polanski's "antisemitic" policy. During Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, Andy Burnham accused the Greens of being antisemitic after it passed the "Zionism is racism" policy at its Autumn Conference earlier this month. At the same time, the Prime Minister also ruled out power-sharing arrangements with the Greens despite three councils - Sheffield, Lewes and Warwick - being in coalition with Mr Polanski's party. And, in more than 10 other areas, Labour runs the authority alongside the left-wing party as part of a wider coalition. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Now, Mr Burnham's local parties have been instructed to pen a "clear and unambiguous statement" to their Green counterparts to state that they reject the "Zionism is racism" policy. The Greens have been handed a seven-day deadline to condemn the motion and call on their leader to rethink the decision. If the conditions are not met, local power-sharing arrangements will end, Labour said. During Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions, Conservative MP Dame Harriett Baldwin urged the PM to rule out "co-operating" with the Green Party. Labour has threatened the Green Party with an 'urgent' ultimatum after Zack Polanski's 'antisemitic' policy | PA Mr Burnham replied: "Can I condemn the motion that was passed unequivocally. "It is wrong, it is antisemitic, and this side of the House will have nothing to do with it. "We will always take the right response when it comes to any partnerships we have with other parties. "We cannot support a partnership with a party that holds the position that has recently been adopted." LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Green Party passes 'Zionism is racism' motion following members vote Zack Polanski refuses to say Israel has right to exist as close friend calls for his resignation Zack Polanski's Green Party referred to EHRC over Zionism motion as ex-leader considers quitting Zack Polanski has taken a swipe at Andy Burnham | PA Hitting back at the Prime Minister, Mr Polanski said that the "blurring of challenging Israel and antisemitism" was "dangerous and irresponsible". He said: "I'm the only Jewish leader of a political party. I'm a victim of antisemitism every day and I've made it clear Jewish people are welcome in my party. "You're a prime minister who arms a genocide and locks pensioners up for opposing it." Bridget Phillipson, Labour's Chair, said: "Where local Labour Parties currently have an arrangement with the Greens in local government, we expect their Green counterparts to make clear that they reject this position and to call on their national leadership to reconsider the policy. "This isn’t an issue of party politics; it’s about doing what is right and upholding the values anyone holding public office should share." A Green Party spokesman said: "For the Labour Government to conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism is disappointing and wrong. "Trying to tell local parties what to do and who they can work with is undemocratic. "Whilst Labour continue to try to meddle in our internal democracy, arm a genocide and lock up protesting pensioners, we will not take lectures from them." 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