Azhar Ali, the Labour candidate for the Rochdale by-election, has faced significant backlash after being recorded making controversial statements about Israel. In the recording, Ali claimed that Israel had allowed 1,400 of its citizens to be massacred on October 7 to justify an invasion of Gaza, seeking a "green light" to attack. These comments have sparked widespread criticism, leading Ali to issue an unreserved apology to the Jewish community for his remarks, which he acknowledged as "deeply offensive, ignorant, and false." Labour's response to the controversy has been to defend their decision to stand by Ali, despite the outcry over his comments. Senior Labour figure Nick Torfaen described Ali's comments as "completely wrong" and "totally unacceptable," emphasizing the party's disapproval of his statements.
“This is literally any party’s worst nightmare!” Labour has defended standing by its candidate Azhar Ali in the Rochdale by-election, despite his “unacceptable” remarks made about Israel. #TalkTV https://t.co/UFyZtzomN0
“Azhar Ali, Labour’s candidate for Rochdale, said Israel “allowed” Hamas’s 7 October attacks as cover for an attack on Gaza.” 🖊️ @freddiejh8 https://t.co/oflbzNA8xp
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 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
This charmer, Azhar Ali, reckons the #Hamas massacre was a set-up by #Israel as an excuse to invade #Gaza. He’s the #Labour candidate in Rochdale. And he’s still allowed to stand?! https://t.co/6KOFDKQLkw
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