Dozens of pro-Palestine candidates elected as councillors in Britain
Dozens of pro-Palestinian activists have been elected as councillors in the UK, coinciding with student protests over the Gaza conflict on British university campuses. The Daily Mail reports that more than 40 campaigners secured seats across England, campaigning on the issue of Gaza and garnering significant support from voters, resulting in changes within town halls nationwide.
Some of these newly elected councillors sported badges featuring the Palestinian flag colors, and others dedicated their victories to the people of Gaza. One councillor, Mothin Ali, exclaimed “Allahu Akbar!” upon winning his seat in the Gipton and Harehills ward in Leeds, prompting an investigation by his party, the Green Party, as reported by The Telegraph.
Ali’s comments, including remarks on Palestine’s right to “fight back” in response to terror attacks, and his previous derogatory statements about a Jewish chaplain, have drawn scrutiny. The surge of pro-Palestine councillors, who defeated Labour candidates in at least 12 town halls, led opposition leader Keir Starmer to pledge efforts to regain the trust of voters who felt insufficient support for Palestine.
Additionally, the Muslim Vote group presented Starmer with a list of 18 demands, including calls to sever military ties with Israel and recognize the state of Palestine, according to the Daily Mail.
Concerns have been raised among some Conservative politicians about the potential for foreign affairs discussions to dominate local councils instead of focusing on local services. Former Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg criticized what he perceives as a divisive approach, while Tory candidate Nick Timothy expressed unease over politicians prioritizing foreign conflicts in local elections.
The protests in support of Palestine have extended to UK universities, with encampments established outside buildings in cities like Manchester, Newcastle, and Leeds, as reported by the BBC. Warwick University and Goldsmiths, University of London, are among the institutions where students have staged demonstrations, occupying spaces such as the piazza and library.
