Azhar Ali, the Labour candidate for the Rochdale by-election, has issued an apology for his controversial remarks regarding Israel and Hamas. Ali's comments, which suggested that Israel allowed Hamas to carry out the October 7 attack to justify an invasion of Gaza, have sparked significant backlash. Despite the outcry, Labour has decided to continue supporting Ali's candidacy. The party has faced criticism for this decision, and an official complaint has been lodged against Ali for his remarks, which have been labeled as 'deeply offensive' and 'antisemitic'. Labour's Nick Torfaen has publicly condemned Ali's statements as 'completely wrong' and 'totally unacceptable'.
The Labour Party has received an official complaint about its candidate in the Rochdale by-election following "antisemitic" comments about the 7 October attack on Israel, Sky News has learned. Read more 🔗 https://t.co/lYaSY2whcf
Labour's candidate for Rochdale made a 'completely wrong' and 'totally unacceptable' comment about Israel and Gaza, says Labour's @NickTorfaen. Azhar Ali suggested Israel allowed the 7 October massacre to give it the "green light" to invade Gaza. He has since apologised. https://t.co/07xLsl725f
Labour candidate Azhar Ali apologises for 'deeply offensive' Israel claims but will still run in Rochdale by-election.
Labour is facing criticism for standing by its Rochdale by-election candidate, even after he claimed that Israel allowed Hamas to carry out its October 7 attack to provide grounds to invade Gaza ✍: @sophie_wing8 https://t.co/gAvAukklme
Labour's candidate in the Rochdale by-election has apologised for remarks he reportedly made about Israel in a community meeting. https://t.co/LlrC2g3U7w
A Labour by-election candidate has apologised for his “deeply offensive” comments, after he reportedly said Israel allowed Hamas to carry out its October 7 attack to provide grounds to invade Gaza. https://t.co/iT7SLXVZGg