The Green Party MP at the center of the anti-Semitism scandal has apologized for the “disturbance caused” by his comments, but hit back at “Islamophobic” attacks against him.
The Green Party launched an investigation into Mohsin Ali, who was elected to Leeds City Council last week, but did not suspend him.
Ali, a prominent YouTube and TikTok personality, has come under fire in recent months for social media videos and comments he made in an acceptance speech last week.
In his election speech recorded on his TikTok channel, Ali stood in front of a Palestinian flag and said, “Allah Akbar,” and “This is a victory for the people of Gaza.”
On October 7, the day of the Hamas attack on Israel, Ali said on social media that Palestinians had the right to “fight back.”
In another video published on social media, he criticized a rabbi who went into hiding after receiving online threats because he served in the Israel Defense Forces. Ali called Rabbi Zechariah Deutsch a “creepy fellow.”
In a statement released by the Green Party’s branch in Leeds after the comments sparked backlash, Mr Ali said: “I am sorry that my comments regarding the Gaza conflict caused any offense.” That wasn’t my intention. ”
“Like many people around the world, I am deeply affected by the horrific ongoing conflict in Gaza, which the International Court of Justice has described as suspected of genocide,” he added. Ta.
“I do not support violence on either side. Violence leads to more violence. This is what I was trying to convey,” he added. “I have consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages. I look forward to working with a broader coalition, including the Jewish and Muslim Greens, to commit to our common commitment to ending the conflict. We want to discuss smart ways to communicate your passion.”
Mr Ali hit back at criticism for using the words “Allahu Akbar” in his Leeds City Council election acceptance speech last week, suggesting the attack was Islamophobic.
“It is not uncommon for people of my faith to use the word ‘Allah Akbar’ as an expression of gratitude and congratulations. Some people try to misrepresent this, which strikes me as Islamophobic.” “I’m suggesting that,” Ali said.
Labour’s Jewish Labor Movement (JLM) warned the Green Party in a letter on Tuesday that it was allowing “people with a history of promoting anti-Semitic views and positions” to join and represent the party. .
JLM questioned why Ali was allowed to stand after his remarks about Rabbi Zechariah Deutsch.
Simon Myerson KC, chair of the Leeds Council of Jewish Representatives, published a letter he had written to Green Party co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay calling for Mr Ali to be suspended.
The Green Party declined to comment, saying it was investigating the background to Ali’s comments.
This comes as former Green Party co-leader Sian Berry announced he would resign from the London Assembly just three days after being elected.
Berry’s decision to resign from the council will result in her being replaced by Zoe Garbett, the unsuccessful Green Party candidate in the London mayoral election.
The move prompted criticism from Labor figures, who said Mr Berry should not have stood for the London Assembly if he intended to immediately give up his seat.
Mr Berry is the Green Party’s candidate for Brighton Pavilion, a seat currently held by the party’s only MP, Caroline Lucas, who plans to stand down at the next election. She has come under fire from Labor for running in London and Brighton at the same time.
Berry said: “Zoe has shown how much change she can make at City Hall by listening to Londoners and bringing their voices into the political debate. That’s why she’s taking on this job as soon as possible. There is a need.”
Leeds Green party councillor says sorry for comments about Gaza conflict | Green party
The Green Party MP at the center of the anti-Semitism scandal has apologized for the “disturbance caused” by his comments, but hit back at “Islamophobic” attacks against him.
The Green Party launched an investigation into Mohsin Ali, who was elected to Leeds City Council last week, but did not suspend him.
Ali, a prominent YouTube and TikTok personality, has come under fire in recent months for social media videos and comments he made in an acceptance speech last week.
In his election speech recorded on his TikTok channel, Ali stood in front of a Palestinian flag and said, “Allah Akbar,” and “This is a victory for the people of Gaza.”
On October 7, the day of the Hamas attack on Israel, Ali said on social media that Palestinians had the right to “fight back.”
In another video published on social media, he criticized a rabbi who went into hiding after receiving online threats because he served in the Israel Defense Forces. Ali called Rabbi Zechariah Deutsch a “creepy fellow.”
In a statement released by the Green Party’s branch in Leeds after the comments sparked backlash, Mr Ali said: “I am sorry that my comments regarding the Gaza conflict caused any offense.” That wasn’t my intention. ”
“Like many people around the world, I am deeply affected by the horrific ongoing conflict in Gaza, which the International Court of Justice has described as suspected of genocide,” he added. Ta.
“I do not support violence on either side. Violence leads to more violence. This is what I was trying to convey,” he added. “I have consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages. I look forward to working with a broader coalition, including the Jewish and Muslim Greens, to commit to our common commitment to ending the conflict. We want to discuss smart ways to communicate your passion.”
Mr Ali hit back at criticism for using the words “Allahu Akbar” in his Leeds City Council election acceptance speech last week, suggesting the attack was Islamophobic.
“It is not uncommon for people of my faith to use the word ‘Allah Akbar’ as an expression of gratitude and congratulations. Some people try to misrepresent this, which strikes me as Islamophobic.” “I’m suggesting that,” Ali said.
Labour’s Jewish Labor Movement (JLM) warned the Green Party in a letter on Tuesday that it was allowing “people with a history of promoting anti-Semitic views and positions” to join and represent the party. .
JLM questioned why Ali was allowed to stand after his remarks about Rabbi Zechariah Deutsch.
Simon Myerson KC, chair of the Leeds Council of Jewish Representatives, published a letter he had written to Green Party co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay calling for Mr Ali to be suspended.
The Green Party declined to comment, saying it was investigating the background to Ali’s comments.
This comes as former Green Party co-leader Sian Berry announced he would resign from the London Assembly just three days after being elected.
Berry’s decision to resign from the council will result in her being replaced by Zoe Garbett, the unsuccessful Green Party candidate in the London mayoral election.
The move prompted criticism from Labor figures, who said Mr Berry should not have stood for the London Assembly if he intended to immediately give up his seat.
Mr Berry is the Green Party’s candidate for Brighton Pavilion, a seat currently held by the party’s only MP, Caroline Lucas, who plans to stand down at the next election. She has come under fire from Labor for running in London and Brighton at the same time.
Berry said: “Zoe has shown how much change she can make at City Hall by listening to Londoners and bringing their voices into the political debate. That’s why she’s taking on this job as soon as possible. There is a need.”
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