Green Party Councillor Under Fire After Shouting “Allahu Akbar!” in Victory Speech
Controversy Erupts Over Mothin Ali’s Victory Cry
The Green Party is probing newly elected Leeds councillor Mothin Ali after he shouted “Allahu Akbar!” during his triumphant speech on Thursday. Winning the Gipton and Harehills ward with over 3,000 votes, Ali hailed his success as a “win for the people of Gaza.”
Past Comments Spark Alarm
The 42-year-old accountant and gardening blogger has a history of fiery remarks. Ali once called Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch—a Jewish chaplain who had to go into hiding due to threats from protesters—a “creep” and “kind of animal.” These incendiary comments have made Green Party members uneasy.
Party Investigates But No Suspension Yet
During his speech, Ali declared: “We will not be silenced. We will raise the voice of Gaza. We will raise the voice of Palestine. Allahu Akbar!” The Greens confirmed an investigation but emphasised, “We never support anything that extols violence.” Despite this, Ali remains an active councillor with the party.
Strong Views on Israel and Gaza
Following Hamas’s deadly October 7 attacks that killed over 1,200 Israelis, Ali posted videos accusing Israel of planning aggressive strikes on civilians under the guise of fighting Hamas. He dubbed Gaza “the biggest concentration camp the world has ever seen” and called for support of indigenous people’s right to resist. Ali labelled Israel a “settler, colonial, occupier” aiming to “erase the legitimacy of a native population” and claimed Israel uses anti-Semitism to silence critics.
The saga is far from over as the Green Party weighs up Ali’s future in the ranks amid rising tensions over his statements.
