Azhar Ali, Labour's candidate for the Rochdale by-election, has come under fire for comments he made last year, suggesting that Israel allowed 1,400 of its citizens to be killed on October 7 to justify an invasion of Gaza. These remarks, which Ali has described as "deeply offensive, ignorant and false," were made public through a recording reported by the Mail on Sunday. Following the backlash, Ali has issued an apology "unreservedly" to the Jewish community for his statements. Labour's Nick Torfaen has also responded, labeling Ali's comments as "completely wrong" and "totally unacceptable."
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's candidate in the Rochdale by-election has apologised for remarks he reportedly made about Israel in a community meeting. https://t.co/LlrC2g3U7w
Labour candidate in the Rochdale by-election, Azhar Ali, apologises for Israel comments https://t.co/MHLTR3aGfr
Azhar Ali, Labour’s candidate for MP in Rochdale, has accused Israel of deliberately letting Hamas massacre Israeli citizens in order to get the “green light” to attack Gaza. https://t.co/bgCLvFkEoP
Labour Rochdale candidate apologises for blaming Israel for October 7 https://t.co/PfOWLnfXeI
Labour Rochdale candidate Azhar Ali has unreservedly apologised to the Jewish community after he was recorded saying that Israel deliberately allowed 1,400 of its citizens to be killed on October 7 in order to give it the "green light" to invade Gaza. Ali, who made the statement… https://t.co/DPMxaY7pGX
🚨 NEW: Labour's Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali has been secretly recorded claiming Israel allowed 1,400 of its citizens to be massacred on October 7 in order to give it the 'green light' to invade Gaza He has tonight apologised "unreservedly" [@MailOnline]
Mail on Sunday: Labour candidate in Rochdale taped last year saying Israel was warned about Oct 7th but allowed the massacre to happen. Azhar Ali has apologised for comments he describes as "deeply offensive, ignorant and false". https://t.co/18LZIsZlH4
Lee Harpin a virulent Islamophobe & Zionist, as well as political editor of the Jewish Chronicle, is tweeting support Azhar Ali in Rochdale by election. Should tell you all you need to know about Labours choice for MP #GazaGenocide @WorkersPartyGB @5Pillarsuk @georgegalloway https://t.co/J1cLawLLRG