Green Party leader Zack Polanski condemned for retweet criticising hero police who took down Golders Green 'terrorist'
Zack Polanski has retweeted a post suggesting hero policemen who disarmed the Golders Green terror suspect were heavy-handed.The Green Party leader has shared a tweet that said the officers were acting 'violently' towards the knifeman who was Tasered after allegedly stabbing Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76.Footage of the incident showed the suspect refusing to drop the knife after the attack that began at a north London bus stop. It is now being treated as terrorism.The suspect, who was described as a British national born in Somalia, was brought to the ground and arrested while carrying the blade and a backpack that police had no idea if it carried explosives.In a statement at the scene Met Commissioner Mark Rowley described the double attempted murder as a 'horrendous act of violence' and revealed the motive was anti-Semitism. He also said the suspect had a 'history of serious violence and mental health issues'.In response later reposted by the leader of the Greens, an online critic said: 'So essentially his officers were repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by taser'.It has led to accusations that Mr Polanski was 'more concerned' about the suspected terrorist's wellbeing than those he is accused of stabbing in the street.Today Mr Rand spoke from his hospital bed to reveal how he had been stabbed in the chest and claimed it is a 'miracle' he is alive.But he also said he held the Labour government responsible and alleged that Sir Keir Starmer's administration is 'not doing its job' in protecting the Jewish people in the UK. Bodycam footage of the horrifying incident in Golders Green shows the alleged terrorist walk towards officers and refusing to drop the knife Zack Polanski has retweeted a post suggesting hero policemen who disarmed the Golders Green terrorist were heavy handed Mr Polanski, pictured speaking to activists and supporters during the Green Party Big Day Out, on April 25 has been criticised for the retweetThis message, which appeared to suggest sympathy for the attacker, was then retweeted by Greens leader Zack Polanski, who has admitted he would like to be the next Prime Minister.The Daily Mail has asked Mr Polanski to comment.Last night a party spokesman said of the attack: 'This was an appalling act of anti-Semitic violence. Jewish people deserve safety and belonging wherever they live and we stand in solidarity with the British Jewish community. 'Our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones and we pay tribute to the emergency services, including Hatzola ambulances, for their swift response'.The party leader's retweet has led to widespread criticism.Tory MP Neil O'Brien claimed: 'As usual, the Greens' sympathies are with the terrorist rather than the brave police officers stopping him'. Labour's Jonathan Hinder tweeted: 'This is so telling. Polanski hates the brave police officers who stopped this. He's more concerned about the antisemitic terrorist with a knife in his hand! Isn't that right Zack Polanski?'Home Office minister Mike Tapp said he was 'disgusted' and that the 'Green Party has hit a new low'.Labour MP David Taylor added: 'Zack Polanski's sympathy for a marauding antisemitic terrorist rather than his victims shows why his Green Party is so dangerous.'How can anyone watch that video from Golders Green and not feel proud of the way those brave police officers wrestled with the attacker who would not let go of his knife?'The Daily Mail revealed how Mr Polanski's own family members admitted they fear they will be forced to leave the UK if he ever became prime minister.There comments came as the party held a debate at its spring conference on a controversial motion alleging 'Zionism is racism'.Under Mr Polanski's watch, the Greens have attracted an army of alleged Islamists and far-Left activists, moving away from its traditional roots.Born into a Jewish family in Salford, he has constantly said he is 'proud of my Jewish heritage', but family members believe he has put his ambition and politics ahead of his community.The Daily Mail spoke to three members of Mr Polanski's extended family – none of whom now talk to him.'He's currently the leader of the future Islamic party of Britain, that's what the Green Party is fast becoming,' said one. 'And there would be no place for Jews in an Islamic state of Britain.'The Jewish Greens – which Mr Polanski was once a member of – said the motion came across 'as an attack on that very basic right of aspiring to lead a safe and secure life'.The Campaign Against Antisemitism said the Green Party was 'not only tolerating but amplifying some of the worst rhetoric that we have seen in British politics in a generation'.The only member of the Greens leader's family still speaking to him was his mother, Ava, relatives said. She is said to tell the wider family that while she does not agree with his politics, she loves him as her son and is proud of what he's achieved.It came as the Met released bodycam footage of when police tasered the knifeman in Golders Green to the floor and wrestled a blade out of his hands. It shows the alleged attacker walk towards officers shortly after they descended on the scene. As the officers edge backwards, they can be heard ordering the alleged knifeman to 'get down on the ground' and to step back as one holds up pepper spray. The alleged attacker then advances on as one of the officers deploys a successful second Taser shot. While one of the police officers managed to throw the knife away, another officer as well as the bystander gained control of the man's arm
Another policeman can be seen kicking the suspect in the head as he continues to shout for the suspect to 'drop the f*****g knife'. A heroic passerby helps the two officers as they attempt to grapple the knife out of the alleged assailant's hand. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley praised officers and Shomrim, a Jewish community security organisation for their bravery. 'My first thoughts are with the two British Jews who were attacked while going about their daily lives, as they should be able to do freely and safely in their own local community,' he said in a statement. 'I also want to pay tribute to my officers, who were on the scene within a few minutes and whose actions undoubtedly prevented further injury and saved lives.'They are nothing short of extraordinary. They confronted a man they believed to be a terrorist, who refused to show his hands, who was violent, and who continued to pose a clear threat. 'These were not armed officers and they feared that he was concealing an explosive device. 'Using only their training, courage and Tasers, they detained him while he continued to try to attack and stab them. They will tell you they were simply doing their jobs, but without their bravery, I dread to think what the outcome could have been. I also want to recognise the voluntary first responders from the community including the Shomrim.'He added: 'Too many Jewish people in this country feel they have to make choices that no Briton should ever have to make, about how they dress, where they go, or how visibly they live their lives. 'That is completely unacceptable and has gone on for far too long. Let me be absolutely clear. We have seen a rise in racist and antisemitic hate crime. 'And while I cannot comment on live investigations, we know that some individuals are being encouraged, persuaded, or paid to commit acts of violence on behalf of foreign organisations and hostile states.'If you act out of hatred, racism or anti-Semitism, we will come after you and you will face the consequences.' Moshe Shine, 76, was one of two Jews stabbed in a north London terror attack on Wednesday morning CCTV image reportedly shows the moment Moshe Shine was stabbed while waiting for a bus Both victims remain in hospital in a stable condition, with a police probe into the terror-related incident ongoingIt comes after Israel warned Sir Keir Starmer that anti-Semitism is a 'national emergency' after the attack in Golders Green. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis demanded 'meaningful action' and Donald Trump's anti-Semitism tsar said 'enough is enough' following the rampage.Sir Keir said on Thursday morning that 'an attack on our Jewish community is an attack on all of us'.'What we saw last night was people being targeted because they are Jewish, I'm absolutely clear about that,' the Prime Minister told a meeting with criminal justice agencies in Downing Street following the double stabbing in Golders Green on Wednesday.'There's no getting away from the fact that this was not a one-off.'This has been a series of attacks on our Jewish community, particularly in recent weeks, and there is a very deep sense of anxiety, of concern about security, about safety, about identity frankly.'He continued that 'we have to understand' the 'visceral feeling' among many British Jews, 'and we have to be really clear that an attack on our Jewish community is an attack on all of us and we have to approach it in that way.'Sir Keir said solidarity with the Jewish community was often voiced after such attacks.'We do stand with our Jewish community – of course we do – but it's our fight as well. It's the fight of everyone in this country.'
