Greens challenged over ‘crackpot conspiracy theorist’ election candidates as ‘antisemitic’ comments emerge

The Green Party has been accused of supporting “crazy conspiracy theorists” after some local election candidates made anti-Semitic statements.

A file he sees Independent It showed that many prominent Green candidates made such comments in their social media posts. One of the candidates previously resigned from the Labor Party over allegations of antisemitism, while the other argued that the attack on Israel on October 7, in which more than 1,200 people were killed, was justified.

Leader Zack Polanski previously admitted that his party “may have to distance itself” from the “odd candidate” as it tries to vet them all in time for the May 7 election.

Croydon Council candidate Mark Adderley published a conspiracy theory in February that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was working for dead pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Commenting on a visit to the White House by the Israeli PM on his Instagram account, he said: “Benjamin Netanyahu is doing Jeffrey Epstein’s work as we speak. Jeffrey Epstein’s blackmail, honey trap operation is being run right now by Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington DC.”

“It’s no coincidence that whenever there was a major flare-up in the Epstein files, or a major moment when it felt like America could or would attack Iran, he would go back to Washington, D.C. to make sure he got the outcome he wanted.”

The Greens are expected to make gains in hundreds of council seats as well as parliamentary seats in Wales and Scotland, mostly at the expense of Labour.

Mr. Polanski has said before Independent He hopes his party will replace Labor and his byelection victory in the previously safe Labor seat of Gorton and Denton appears to confirm that the party’s momentum is growing.

But Labor leader Anna Turley warned that electing Green candidates could open the door to “crazy conspiracy theorists” and called on Polanski to take action.

he said Independent: “It is truly astounding that the Green Party is sustained by crackpot conspiracy theorists peddling rotten antisemitism.

“Instead of opening his arms and accepting them into his party, Zack Polanski should take action. He should immediately withdraw his party’s support for all these candidates and make it clear that these views are abhorrent.”

Chandni Chopra, a candidate for Newcastle City Council, argued that the attack on Israel on 7 October, in which at least 828 civilians, including 36 children, were killed, was justified.

Days after the October 7 attack, Ms. Chopra posted on Instagram: “In the face of biased mainstream media, it is clear that Palestinians’ legal right to resist is being portrayed as barbaric and unwarranted.”

Another candidate in West Sussex, Karen Sudan, resigned from the Labor Party following allegations of antisemitism.

Among his posts on

Aziz Hakimi, the Green Party candidate for Camden Council, shared a post on Facebook claiming that the Golders Green attack on Jewish ambulances was a “false flag” and also used his account to share a conspiracy theory about 9/11, blaming Zionists for the attack.

Speaking at the launch of his party’s local election campaign in Lewisham, south-east London, on Thursday, Mr Polanski was questioned about the vetting process following previous allegations of antisemitism.

He told PoliticsHome: “I’m aware that we’re facing a lot of people very quickly and so I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up with an oddball candidate that we need to keep our distance from.” [ourselves] from them.”

He continued: “I don’t plan on doing that. But I also realize that it’s a challenge to get thousands of people in at once and say, ‘Okay, we’re putting your name on the ballot.’

“So we are doing everything we can to ensure that we do our due diligence. We will continue to do so. We are not complacent for a moment on this issue and we recognize the magnitude of the task before us.”

The former Green Party leader, who is Jewish, used the launch to attack Israel again.

He said: “Israel is behaving in a completely uncontrolled way; it is as if they believe they have complete immunity from any sanctions or any criticism.”

He called for sanctions against Israel and a ban on arms sales.

Commenting on the candidate dossier, a Greens spokesperson said: “The deadline for nominations has just passed and we will be investigating anything brought to our attention that does not align with the values ​​and views of the Green Party.”