Azhar Ali, the Labour Party's candidate for the upcoming Rochdale by-election, has been embroiled in controversy after making antisemitic remarks regarding Israel and the October 7 Hamas attacks. Despite the backlash, Labour initially stood by Ali, with leaders and members expressing varying levels of support and criticism. Ali's comments, suggesting Israel allowed the attacks to justify invading Gaza, sparked widespread condemnation, including from within the Labour Party. High-profile figures, including Keir Starmer, faced criticism for their handling of the situation. Eventually, under mounting pressure and after issuing an apology, the Labour Party withdrew its support for Ali, and he was suspended from the party. The incident has reignited debates over antisemitism within the party, the selection process for candidates, and the leadership's response to such controversies.
Starmer under pressure over handling of antisemitism row in Rochdale by-election https://t.co/rcyRiFzn7Z
Why can't Labour remove its former candidate from Rochdale ballot papers? https://t.co/M3MyVc55OW
UK Labour Party suspends candidate after comments alleging Israel let 7 October attack happen https://t.co/Ke1COHsUEU
The key lesson of Starmer’s Rochdale fiasco is that racism towards Jews is not a red line for Labour. A candidate peddling antisemitism was selected and Keir Starmer didn’t disown him because a by-election win was more important. That’s when you find out who someone really is.
'We'll have religious sectarian politics in Westminster in two years.’ @Nigel_Farage issues a warning following Keir Starmer’s decision to withdraw support from ‘anti-semite’ candidate in Rochdale Azhar Ali. 🔓 Become a GB News Member: https://t.co/mNsRsGC8ef https://t.co/6QCOfQbQ80
Labour finally drops support for candidate who pushed October 7 conspiracy theory https://t.co/IOKXkQ26Rm
🔺 NEW: Sir Keir Starmer’s delay in withdrawing support for Labour’s candidate in the Rochdale by-election was “shambolic”, the lawyer who led a review into bullying and racism in the party has said ⬇️ https://t.co/2llj8s3YKg
My Unherd article on the Rochdale by-election, and the long term problems it exposes for the Labour Party. https://t.co/kWsXxSwCon
Jeremy Kyle questions how Rochdale candidate Azhar Ali got through Labour's selection process after making controversial Israel remarks. "What he said was absolutely disgusting and vile enough for Labour to do something! Is this the tip of the iceberg?" @rosiewright99 https://t.co/Pq3uQEHsku
Sir Keir Starmer’s judgement is under fire over the delay in withdrawing support for Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali after his anti-Israel rant https://t.co/LywusDlQvy
UK’s Labour disowns candidate who said Israel wanted Oct. 7 as pretext to invade Gaza https://t.co/isRPUwE8tl
Labour faces Rochdale byelection backlash after party withdraws support for candidate – UK politics live https://t.co/EdsuEIc2ur
Keir Starmer's got more in common with Boris Johnson than he might like to think – sending out his cabinet to defend Rochdale's Azhar Ali until the last possible moment, then leaving them exposed when he caves and ditches him. Me on LBC this morning 👇🏾https://t.co/37rLlgHDBX
The Labour Party’s decades-long reliance on the Muslim vote is coming under strain in Rochdale — and George Galloway sees an opportunity. Don’t miss @MichaelLCrick’s must-read report from the scandal-hit by-election for @UnHerd https://t.co/XQVqTjNcFh
Labour’s self-sabotage leaves Rochdale byelection up for grabs https://t.co/dqPW1WGeHa
Azhar Ali’s 7 October conspiracy theories remind us that Labour’s anti-Semitism problem was never just about the Corbynistas, writes Tim Black https://t.co/vf9rNMTES8
'Starmer needs to change some of the people he's got around him.' Anti-Israel conspiracy theory remarks made by Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali were 'known about yesterday morning' peer tells LBC. https://t.co/yyFSaKtBbl
Incredible to see Azhar Ali antisemitically attacked “people in the media from certain Jewish quarters”. Loads of Labour councillors heard him say it - yet he was still selected. Starmer likely knew he said it over the weekend - yet still stood by him. Labour hasn’t changed.
'Starmer needs to change some of the people he's got around him.' Independent peer @LordJohnMann tells @NickFerrariLBC that Israel conspiracy theory remarks made by Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali were 'known about yesterday morning'. https://t.co/4IMbLDGetf
The opposition leader on #Lancashire County Council has been suspended by the Labour Party. The party have also withdrawn their support of Azhar Ali him as their candidate in the Rochdale by-election, which is due to take place later this month. https://t.co/c1HMHp2NFK
Analysis | The sacking of Azhar Ali as Labour's candidate in the Rochdale by-election is the biggest disaster for Sir Keir Starmer in his nearly four years as leader of the party. 🔗 Read more https://t.co/Z4uqsOD5Wv
The Labour leadership is facing questions after withdrawing the party’s support for its Rochdale by-election candidate, amid a storm of criticism of remarks he made about Israel. https://t.co/4h2RNoD8FE
Starmer urged to discipline Rochdale candidate over Israel-Gaza remarks https://t.co/Y8LdtPkw67
🚨 NEW: Keir Starmer is facing his biggest crisis in nearly four years as Labour leader as he eventually sacks his Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali [@SkyNews]
Labour’s handling of the Azhar Ali affair has undermined its political and moral credibility, writes @georgeeaton. https://t.co/3vkip788vs
Labour MP Pat McFadden says Sir Keir Starmer has "taken the tough but necessary decision" to withdraw support for Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali. Mr McFadden adds that "new information and more comments have come to light" https://t.co/xItZsH7tea 📺 Sky 501 / YouTube https://t.co/L1m1Ph4VlN
Britain's opposition Labour Party has withdrawn support for its candidate, Azhar Ali, to become a member of parliament in a special election after he was recorded espousing conspiracy theories about Israel. https://t.co/aXzw50dP71
Labour withdraws support from candidate in Antisemitism scandal https://t.co/FzgsdIahiX via @LucyGJWhite https://t.co/oJ5HNuhoOz
'The whole thing makes the party look soft on anti-Semitism.' UKIP former deputy chairman @SuzanneEvans1 reacts with @IainDale as Keir Starmer disavows Rochdale candidate Azhar Ali. https://t.co/EaHmaWJMHd
The Labour Party withdrew support for its candidate to fill a vacant Parliament seat in northern England, caving to pressure to cut ties with Azhar Ali over antisemitic remarks he was reported to have made last year https://t.co/GNAqWdw1c6
Rishi Sunak has referenced Labour Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali while accusing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of having 'no principles at all' https://t.co/2WDBczVIm2
Rishi Sunak brings up the Azhar Ali developments in his @GBNEWS Q&A He says the Labour candidate was "saying the most vile awful conspiracy theories" but Keir Starmer "stood by him, sent cabinet ministers to support him" and only changed his mind "under enormous media pressure"
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
Rochdale Labour Council Candidate Says Keir Starmer Is A War Criminal https://t.co/6JXjhHQtMS https://t.co/cO5P42fwZi
Labour suspends Azhar Ali after comments on Israeli conspiracy theory https://t.co/b3KhOfsh0Q
So Starmer has just done a massive U-turn and disowned the Lab Rochdale candidate now. In doing so he's also made Lisa Nandy and Nick Thomas-Symonds, who both spoke up for him, look soft on anti-Semitism.
It’s too late for Labour to find a new candidate in Rochdale. What a mess. https://t.co/Z5BhD2ro2R
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. Exclusive by @realBenBloch this evening: https://t.co/JB92sQeOmk
Labour’s Azhar Ali was caught spouting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Why is Starmer still backing him? Because he’s scared of upsetting Muslim voters? This treats Muslims like a prejudiced bloc who must be tiptoed around. What an insult, says Tim Black https://t.co/vf9rNMTES8
Labour’s double standards over its Rochdale candidate are beyond satire. Discussing that on @lbc at 7.10pm https://t.co/GT3tYvANy6
🌹New: Here's what you need to know about Labour's Rochdale by-election candidate, including who he is, what he reportedly said, the reaction and how he was selected - amid criticism of Labour's selection process: https://t.co/X8CmSlFUM1
Labour still has an anti-Semitism problem. Azhar Ali’s 7 October comments remind us that it was never just about the Corbynistas. Labour tiptoes around Israelophobia for fear of offending Muslim voters. This is an insult to Jews and Muslims, says Tim Black https://t.co/vf9rNMTES8
Labour’s Rochdale shame https://t.co/ZXNOkIom2Z
Labour stands behind Rochdale candidate who pushed October 7 conspiracy theory https://t.co/CTMgAESJOn
Campaign Against Antisemitism’s Gideon Falter isn't convinced by Rochdale Labour candidate Azhar Ali’s apology for claiming Israel allowed the October 7 attacks. “They get caught and suddenly un-believe the thing they were convinced about.” @TVKev | @ThatAlexWoman https://t.co/fsl9BhZznB
'You have a man who wants to be an MP saying ‘Israel wanted that to happen’. If you can’t see that that could be anti-Semitic, I’m not sure I can help you.' @ShelaghFogarty responds to this caller who questions criticism of the Rochdale Labour candidate on his Gaza remarks. https://t.co/b2WnKqQV7R
Are Labour really saying that the quality of their candidates - especially a by-election candidate - is such that they just “fall for an online conspiracy theory”, so any old guff on social media goes, and they are absent any critical thinking skills? It is shameful that Labour… https://t.co/dn4mogPYEI
EXCL: Labour's besieged Rochdale candidate called on a Tory councillor to be suspended in 2019... for sending an antisemitic message. Tories say this is "pure, rank hypocrisy from Labour's disgraced Rochdale candidate" https://t.co/4V6ab4xzg4
‘How is this compatible with Starmer’s supposed zero tolerance for anti-Semitism?’ @ShelaghFogarty reflects on Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali’s claim that Israel knew October 7th would happen, and expresses her confusion over Sir Keir Starmer backing him. https://t.co/SnHNvcuUh4
#TheStandardView: Starmer must withdraw his support for Azhar Ali and, should he be elected, ensure he cannot take the Labour whip. Anything less would be to support these dangerous views https://t.co/T21MhXnWUe
Nick Thomas-Symonds, Labour’s shadow Cabinet Office minister, said that Azhar Ali, their candidate in Rochdale, “fell for an online conspiracy theory”. As if that’s a justifiable excuse. This was said to Labour members, unchallenged. It’s what they REALLY think. Repugnant.
Labour have admitted that Keir Starmer’s candidate for Rochdale spouted an antisemitic conspiracy theory. But today they’re still fully behind him and campaigning for him to be their MP. Remember: Keir Starmer is the same man that backed Jeremy Corbyn to be Prime Minister. https://t.co/l0cS5qtkEH
🔴 Labour defends decision not to suspend Rochdale candidate https://t.co/AmU9DT1S9P
Kate Osamor removed as a Labour MP for suggesting Gaza might be genocide. But Azhar Ali, the @UKLabour Rochdale candidate, accuses Israel of deliberately allowing the October 7 massacre and he gets full support. https://t.co/xdIYI8pnHD
'It's depressingly familiar territory for those of us who hoped that Starmer was going to be consistent on the issue of antisemitism.' Chief Exec of the Campaign Against Antisemitism @GideonFalter on Labour's reaction to Azhar Ali's comments on Israel. https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3 https://t.co/ygJNt4rXim
Labour's candidate in Rochdale "fell for an online conspiracy" that led to his remarks over the 7 October attacks in Israel, a shadow minister has said Read more: https://t.co/pcssnMQJ0k
Lab frontbencher saying the Rochdale candidate "fell for" an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory but isn't actually anti-Semitic. What a load of bollox. Shameful stuff from a Starmer groupie. https://t.co/XkcMQKy3KB
Sir Keir Starmer under growing pressure to cut adrift Labour’s Rochdale by-election candidate as a shadow minister admitted he had repeated an “antisemitic conspiracy theory” https://t.co/zkTI0DEwug
“It was antisemitic but we’re standing by him” wasn’t on my @labourpress bingo card today. Labour really haven’t changed. https://t.co/Ny60rplsHQ
Starmer under pressure as Labour says Rochdale candidate fell for Gaza conspiracy - live | The Independent https://t.co/OHliRSEiyv
Azhar Ali: Labour defends standing by Rochdale by-election candidate https://t.co/AOAiERKPVQ
Labour has defended standing by its candidate in the Rochdale by-election, despite his remarks about Israel. https://t.co/0eaELqHB2g
UK Labour Party is under pressure to drop its candidate for this month’s parliamentary election in northern England over anti-Semitic remarks https://t.co/SNiCVCNDGX via @Joe_Mayes https://t.co/SP0dzjlWeK
'It's dangerous to conflate anti-Israel with anti-Semitism.' 'That's a load of nonsense.' Amid criticism of Rochdale's Labour candidate for his 'offensive' Israel remark, these @NickFerrariLBC callers disagree on if his words were directed at the Israeli state or Jewish people. https://t.co/oXjxMReDIM
Labour has argued that it was “out of character” for its candidate in Rochdale to accuse Israel of deliberately allowing the October 7 terrorist attacks ⬇️ https://t.co/A2dJhnnxXA
The trouble with this line that Labour's Rochdale candidate isn't anti-semitic, he just fell for an online conspiracy theory, is that at best you're asking us to make someone who falls for any old guff they read on Facebook an MP https://t.co/rSd7eFGJ6E
A shadow minister has insisted it would be “unfair” to conclude there is a problem with Labour in Rochdale amid criticism of remarks about Israel made by the party’s constituency candidate ✍️: @ninallloyd https://t.co/aEssv8hDTX
UK opposition party leader Keir Starmer faces pressure to drop his candidate for this month’s parliamentary election in northern England after they were recorded sharing an antisemitic conspiracy theory about the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel https://t.co/AfeWhTI2J5
Labour candidate 'fell for online conspiracy theory' about Hamas attacks, shadow minister says Read more: https://t.co/BHGyG24YmA
Starmer, Jewish Labour Movement, Louise Ellmann are making a catastrophic mistake by calling on the people of Rochdale to vote for their antisemitic conspiracist candidate. Do the right thing: Disown, apologise + win seat back at General Election. This is a crossroads moment.
Labour shadow ministers now openly admitting their Rochdale candidate has been peddling anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. But will stand by him anyway. https://t.co/Em5krbovbh
This is awkward as @AngelaRayner bigs up 7 Oct Israeli massacre denier @CllrAzharAli in the Rochdale by election. https://t.co/V7Zmaop5Nr
Our letter urging @Keir_Starmer to denounce the Labour Party’s Rochdale candidate for his appalling antisemitic views. https://t.co/8DnXt8oTIY
Labour's Nick Thomas Symonds on Azhar Ali, the party's candidate in Rochdale who accused Israel of deliberately allowing the October 7 massacre. "What was said was completely wrong, completely unacceptable and in no way represents the wider views of the Labour party. He has…
Keir Starmer’s placed tackling anti-Semitism at the heart of his political strategy. In that context, the decision to stand by Azhar Ali is incomprehensible. The only rational explanation I can see is he genuinely is scared of the electoral impact of Gaza on Labour’s Muslim vote.
Keir Starmer’s wife is Jewish. His family attends a liberal synagogue. Yet, Labour stands by candidate Azhar Ali who told a Labour meeting Israel allowed 1500 of her citizens to be raped, murdered, children burned alive, to do what it wanted in Gaza. Ali should not be in… https://t.co/4ms9H9KPq4
Labour candidate Azhar Ali has turned an easy by-election into an embarrassment. The Rochdale controversy has revealed cracks in the party's general election preparation, writes @Mr_John_Oxley 👇 https://t.co/YrNgZX0BaZ
Sir Keir Starmer slammed for 'tin-eared' response to anti-Israel rant by Rochdale candidate https://t.co/5newUiVCIu
Starmer slammed for 'tin-eared' stance to anti-Israel rant by Rochdale candidate https://t.co/5newUiVCIu
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
Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to cut Labour’s Rochdale by-election candidate for claiming Israel deliberately allowed Hamas's October 7 massacre to happen https://t.co/2lIXfZQT2B
Labour's candidate in the Rochdale by-election and the current leader of Lancashire County Council's Labour group has apologised for remarks he reportedly made about Israel in a community meeting. https://t.co/ztIemCyjUl
Analysis: Labour’s Rochdale defence boils down to saying its candidate isn’t prejudiced, he’s just getting his foreign policy views from online conspiracy theories - so he’s fine to be an MP https://t.co/YCuIvLCcF8
Azhar Ali's anti-Israel comments reveal a stubborn conspiracism within the Labour Party. Keir Starmer's de-Corbynisation drive is far from complete, writes @Mr_John_Oxley 👇 https://t.co/YrNgZX0BaZ
Labour's by-election candidate 'completely wrong' to say Israel allowed 7 October attack, campaign coordinator says https://t.co/0si3E1ZtqZ
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
The same people who described Jeremy Corbyn as a dangerous extremist are now rallying around a Labour candidate who believes Israel deliberately let the 7th October attack happen. You Cannot Make This Shit Up
Sorry, but this is embarrassing now. If it had been someone on the Corbynite Left making this comment the condemnation would have been unequivocal. Azhar Ali doesn’t get a pass just because it’s politically inconvenient for Keir Starmer. https://t.co/2QnhfErmiw
Tonight, the @UKLabour party are still pumping thousands of pounds into ~30 active Facebook ads for Sir @Keir_Starmer’s antisemitic candidate. Labour haven’t changed. 🔗 https://t.co/CHNshmWajH https://t.co/UOxSA7pbfW
There is nothing stopping Sir @Keir_Starmer stating that if Mr Ali wins the Rochdale by-election, that he will immediately lose the Labour whip for his disgusting comments. What do you say @labourwhips? https://t.co/XWk7rbdXOY
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
Sir Keir can’t claim that the Labour Party has changed, and at the same time ask Rochdale to vote for someone who peddles antisemitic conspiracy theories. It’s one or the other. https://t.co/XvuIVOVDWz
Labour Peers now outing themselves as supporting Sir Keir’s antisemitic candidate. Labour hasn’t changed a bit. https://t.co/MJcCbe9Hbj
ROCHDALE LABOUR CANDIDATE HAS APOLOGIZED FOR HIS PRIVATE COMMENTS ABOUT ISRAEL He has no backbone Sellout @georgegalloway is the only candidate for Rochdale. He stands by his principles. He speaks for the Palestinian people. https://t.co/qfLVbXxA1l
Labour's by-election candidate issues apology after claiming Israel 'allowed Hamas attacks' https://t.co/JCzPKr7Aa7
Kate Osamor was booted for describing Gaza as a genocide, the day the ICJ put Israel on trial for genocide. Andy McDonald was booted for calling for peaceful coexistence between the river and the sea. Azhar Ali said something genuinely scandalous, and Labour is standing by him. https://t.co/1I4yTrIWNv
Azhar Ali’s comments are totally reprehensible. But this close to polling day, electoral law says he will be Labour’s candidate, whatever Starmer says or does now. Ali’s destroyed his past record of allyship with the Jewish community and has a mountain to climb to repair it. 1/3
The Labour Party is sticking with a parliamentary candidate who claimed that Israel deliberately allowed the Hamas terror attacks of October 7 to happen to give it “the green light” to invade Gaza ⬇️ https://t.co/oQ9p3TdhFk
By-election candidate apologises for ‘deeply offensive’ Israel claims https://t.co/LuZmDCDcsh
Hugely embarrassing for Labour when the candidate in what should have been an easy by-election win parroted a poisonous, crackpot conspiracy theory. Bet they wish @paulwaugh was selected. "Labour's Rochdale by-election candidate apologises for 'offensive' Israel claims."…
Labour by-election candidate sparks fresh row over antisemitism https://t.co/nxH4I3StHs
Not only has Sir Keir Starmer failed to root out antisemitism from the Labour Party, he is now actively backing Azhar Ali to be a Labour candidate. Labour may say they’ve changed, but their actions speak louder. https://t.co/o53Hrt2GwY
Labour candidate Azhar Ali apologises for Israel comments https://t.co/hJO7ips37M
Labour are now campaigning to put an anti-Semite into parliament, to represent the people of Rochdale. It’s now clear Starmer will not protect the Jewish community. Britain deserves better. https://t.co/AlcMvu96oS
Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate Claimed Israel Intentionally Allowed October 7th Hamas Terror Attacks https://t.co/bAZISmqIpq
Despite his shocking claim accusing Israel of orchestrating the October 7th Hamas massacre, Labour Rochdale by-election candidate Azhar Ali will still be allowed to run to become an MP. https://t.co/axo324GWEm