Under-fire Green councillor accuses critics of 'Islamophobia' as he hits back ... trends now

The under-fire Green councillor facing demands for his suspension after he claimed Hamas 'had a right to fight back' against Israel hit out today, accusing his critics of 'Islamophobia'.

Bizarrely, Mothin Ali – who sparked outrage after he shouted 'Allahu Akbar' ('God is greatest') after being elected to Leeds city council last week and was accused of helping force a rabbi and his family into hiding after targeting him with a string of slurs – claimed his campaign had 'united people from all backgrounds, races and religions'.

In a statement issued through Leeds Green Party, which is so far resisting calls for his suspension, the 42-year-old accountant said: 'I am sorry for any upset my comments caused about the Gaza conflict.

'That was not my intention.

'Like many across the world I have been deeply impacted by the dreadful conflict currently underway in Gaza. The International Court of Justice said this conflict meets the case for plausible genocide.

'I do not support violence on either side: violence leads to more violence and this is what I have tried to convey.

'I have consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and a release of all hostages.

'I hope to be working with a broad coalition including both the Jewish and Muslim Greens soon to discuss sensible ways for us to work on communicating our shared passion of bringing the conflict to an end.

Read More

How could the Greens NOT know about councillor's vile rant against a rabbi? Party faces fury for failing to suspend pro-Gaza activist over tirade against Jewish chaplain

'Being elected to represent the wonderful community of Gipton and Harehills was one of the proudest moments of my life.

'The inaccurate reporting and misrepresentation of my acceptance speech has led to me being subject to a lot of hate and hostility.

'I should also make clear that it is not unusual for somebody of my faith to use the words 'Allahu Akbar' as an expression of gratitude and celebration.

'Some have sought to misrepresent this and it suggests Islamophobia to me.

'I am not a career politician but I have campaigned for Gipton and Harehills for many years and have been consistently urged to speak up for these communities and on the issue of Palestine, which I will continue to do.

'My campaign united people from all backgrounds, races and religions in order to affect change for our local community.

'I will continue to work in peace to represent all of our communities in the coming four years.'

The Greens last night faced fury over their failure to suspend the councillor who launched a hate-filled tirade against a rabbi.

Mr Ali called Leeds University's Jewish chaplain, Zecharia Deutsch, a 'creep', a 'low-life' and an 'animal'.

The councillor had been allowed to stand for the Greens despite branding Israelis 'white supremacists' after the Hamas Palestinian terror group killed 1,200 people on October 7 last year. He was filmed shouting 'We will raise the voice of Palestine – Allahu Akbar!' after winning his council seat.

Yesterday the party faced a string of calls to take action against him, including from Jewish leaders who accused it of hypocrisy for not distancing itself from his 'extremist nonsense'. Back in February Daily Mail feature writer Guy Adams presented the Greens with a dossier of offensive comments made by Mr Ali, including the

read more from dailymail.....