Labor withdrew its support for Azhar Ali Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Labor withdrew its party's support for Rochdale candidate election and suspended him from the party after he was embroiled in an anti-Semitic scandal.
Sir Keir Starmer backed Azhar Ali despite growing protests from the Jewish community and within his party after Mr Ali declared his claims to Israel. deliberately allowed Hamas to massacre its citizens on October 7 to pave the way for an attack on the Gaza Strip.
The Labor Party leader was forced to do a U-turn after «further comments» emerged on Monday and it is believed -Ali was suspended from the party pending the completion of the investigation.
He will not be replaced as the Labor Party candidate for the Rochdale by-election on February 29 as it is not possible to amend the ballot paper now that nominations have closed.
Although he will technically remain a Labor Party candidate, if he wins, he is likely to have the whip removed immediately, making him an independent MP.
It means Labor is effectively losing ground in Greater Manchester, where it has a majority of around 9,000.
The party had previously vowed to continue campaigning for Mr Ali following his apology for blaming Israel for paving the way for massacre of his own people on October 7.
Azhar Ali faced backlash after his comments. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
But on Monday evening a Labor Party spokesman said: “Following new information about further comments from Azhar Ali coming to light today, the Labor Party has withdrawn its support for Azhar Ali as our candidate for the Rochdale by-election.
Keir Starmer has transformed the Labor Party so that it is indistinguishable from the party of 2019. We understand that these are very unusual circumstances, but it is vital that any candidate put forward by the Labor Party fully represents its aims and values.
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«Given that nominations have now closed, Azhar Ali cannot be replaced as a candidate.»
Shortly before the statement was published, it emerged that the party had received a formal complaint about Mr Ali's comments from the director of the Labor campaign group party against anti-Semitism.»
An organization not affiliated with the Labor Party told Sky News: «Sir Keir Starmer has made good progress in tackling antisemitism in the Labor Party, but this episode shows that more needs to be done or it could become an even bigger problem.»
On Monday evening, the Daily Mail published an audio recording purportedly containing further comments made by Mr Ali at the same time as his previously published remarks about the October 7 attack.
He is said to have claimed that Israel was planning a «land grab» in Gaza and blamed Jews in the media for fueling criticism of Andy Macdonald, the Labor MP suspended from office after using the slogan «between the river and the sea».
The Jewish Labor Party Movement said it was “right” that Mr Ali could no longer become a Labor MP.
The statement said: “When the [Jewish Labor movement] first heard of Ali's comments, we immediately withdrew our support, canceling our campaign days and resources.»
“In light of the new information and Ali's further comments: Labor is right to end all campaigning on his behalf. Since he cannot be removed from the ballot, we believe it is right that he will not be a Labor MP if elected.” #39;frameborder='0' width='100%' height='190px'>
It comes after it emerged that Mr Ali had called for an investigation into Israel for potential war crimes in Gaza.
< p>In a letter to Sir Keir after the Hamas attacks, he joined around 40 Labor Party advisers in accusing Israel of “flagrant violation of international law”. with «collective punishment» of Palestinians.
The signatories said they were «deeply disturbed» to witness the «merciless bombing» of the Gaza Strip and criticized the «historical injustice of the illegal occupation of Palestinian land.»
The letter calls on the United Nations and the international criminal community. According to local reports, the court will appoint independent arbitrators «to assess the credibility of evidence of war crimes» and also claims there is «overwhelming evidence» of the «harshness of Israeli military equipment» in the West Bank.
According to LancsLive and Lancashire Post , a letter from advisers sent later in October said: «Our residents have experienced deep suffering as a result of the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.»
“It was deeply disturbing to witness the tragedy in Gaza and Israel. Amid the relentless bombing of Gaza, there is undeniable evidence of Israeli military brutality in the West Bank. We firmly state the importance of respecting international law. We strongly condemn any actions that result in the death of innocent people.
“Israel's blatant violation of international law by denying critical resources such as food, water and fuel must be unequivocally condemned. The collective punishment of 2.2 million Palestinians cannot be justified.»
The letter said a ceasefire «is necessary, hostages must be released, and it is critical to recognize that lasting peace can only be achieved by resolving historical problems.» the injustice of the illegal occupation of Palestinian land.»
The Labor Party previously said Mr Ali's claims that Israel deliberately allowed Hamas to kill 1,200 citizens were «out of character.»
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