Leeds Green party councillor says sorry for comments about Gaza conflict

Ali, who is a prominent YouTube and TikTok personality, has come under fire for remarks he has made in social media videos in recent months and during his acceptance speech last week.

In his speech on being elected, recorded on his TikTok channel, Ali stood in front of a Palestinian flag and said “Allahu Akbar” and “this is a win for the people of Gaza”.

In a statement published by the Green party branch in Leeds after the remarks sparked backlash, Ali said he was “sorry for any upset my comments caused about the Gaza conflict.

Ali hit back at criticism of his use of the words “Allahu Akbar” in his acceptance speech in the Leeds city council elections last week, suggesting the attacks were Islamophobic.

Simon Myerson KC, the chair of the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, has published a letter he has written to Green party co-leaders Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay, calling for Ali to be suspended.

Berry’s decision to exit the assembly makes way for Zoë Garbett, who was the Green party’s unsuccessful candidate in the London mayoral contest, to take her place.