Leeds Green Party councilor apologizes for comments on Gaza conflict | Green party

A Green Party councilor at the center of an anti-Semitism row has apologized “for the upset caused” by his remarks but hit back at “Islamophobic” attacks against him.

The Green Party launched an investigation into Mothin Ali, who was elected to Leeds City Council last week, but refused to suspend him.

Ali, who is a prominent personality on YouTube and TikTok, has come under fire for remarks he made in social media videos in recent months and during his acceptance speech last week.

In his election speech, recorded on his TikTok channel, Ali stood in front of a Palestinian flag and said “Allahu Akbar” and “this is a victory for the people of Gaza.”

On the day of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Ali said in remarks on social media that Palestinians had the right to “kidnap”.

In a separate video posted on social media, he criticized a rabbi who went into hiding after receiving online threats for serving in the Israel Defense Forces. Ali called Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch a “fool.”

In a statement released by the Green Party branch in Leeds after the remarks sparked backlash, Ali said he was “sorry for any upset caused by my comments regarding the conflict in Gaza. That was not my intention.”

“Like many around the world, I have been deeply affected by the horrific conflict currently unfolding in Gaza. The International Court of Justice has said that this conflict meets the case for plausible genocide,” he added.

“I don’t support violence from any side: violence leads to more violence and that’s what I tried to convey,” he added. “We have consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages. I hope to work soon with a broad coalition that includes both Jews and Green Muslims to discuss sensible ways to work to communicate our shared passion to end the conflict.”

Ali hit back at criticism of his use of the words “Allahu Akbar” in his acceptance speech at last week’s Leeds city council election, suggesting the attacks were Islamophobic.

“It is not unusual for someone of my faith to use the words ‘Allahu Akbar’ as an expression of gratitude and celebration. Some have tried to misrepresent this and suggest Islamophobia to me,” Ali said.

The Labor Party-affiliated Jewish Labor Movement (JLM) wrote to the Greens on Tuesday warning they were allowing “those with a history of spreading anti-Semitic views and positions to join and represent your party”.

JLM asked why Ali was allowed to stand after his remarks about Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch.

Simon Myerson KC, chairman of the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, published a letter he wrote to Green Party co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay calling for Ali to be suspended.

The Green Party said it was investigating the context of Ali’s remarks and declined to comment.

It came as Sîan Berry, a former co-leader of the Green Party, announced her resignation from the London Assembly just three days after being elected.

Berry’s decision to leave the assembly makes way for Zoë Garbett, who was the Green party’s unsuccessful candidate in the London mayoral contest, to take her place.

The move sparked criticism from Labor figures who said Berry should not have stood for the London Assembly if he was to stand down immediately.

Berry is the Greens’ parliamentary candidate in Brighton Pavilion, the seat currently held by the party’s sole MP, Caroline Lucas, who is standing down at the next election. She was criticized by Labor for staying in London and Brighton at the same time.

Berry said: “Zoë has shown how much of a difference she will make at City Hall, listening to Londoners and bringing their voices to the political debate. That’s why she needs to be in this job as soon as possible.”