Mohsin Ali has become one of the most controversial figures in British politics after a series of public clashes with Keir Starmer and criticism from opponents for his comments about Israel, Gaza and international conflict. Ali is a Leeds city councilor and a well-known figure within the Green Party of England and Wales. He has risen rapidly in national politics after becoming the party’s co-deputy leader in 2025. Yet his outspoken activism on Palestine and foreign policy has repeatedly drawn scrutiny from political opponents, Jewish groups and online critics. The row with Starmer escalated in 2026 when parliament fell out over Ali’s involvement in protests against US-Israeli military action in the Middle East and his past comments about Israel.

from Leeds City Councilor green party leadership

Ali serves as MP for the Leeds constituency of Gipton and Halhills, an area with a large and diverse population and a significant South Asian community. Born and raised in Leeds, he comes from a British Bangladeshi Muslim family whose roots can be traced back to Bangladesh. His parents were part of a community of immigrants who settled in northern England at the end of the twentieth century.Before entering mainstream politics, Ali built an online following through political commentary and activism on social media platforms. He had previously been associated with the Labor Party but became disillusioned with it under Keir Starmer, particularly over disagreements over its political direction and its stance on issues such as foreign policy and the Israel-Gaza conflict.Ali later joined the Green Party of England and Wales and rose through the ranks. In September 2025, he was elected joint deputy leader of the Green Party together with fellow party figure Rachel Millward. The position puts him into the party’s senior leadership, where he is responsible for helping shape the party’s political strategy and public messaging. His election is also seen as part of the party’s efforts to broaden its appeal to younger voters and communities dissatisfied with Britain’s two main political parties.

October 7 tweet controversy

One of the biggest controversies surrounding Ali relates to a post he made on October 7, 2023, the day Hamas militants launched an attack in Israel that killed more than 1,000 people. “White supremacist European settler colonialism must end,” Ali tweeted.Critics said the statement appeared to contextualize or justify the violence of the attack. Some political opponents and commentators believed the release of the information was inappropriate given the scale of civilian casualties. The remarks have since been cited repeatedly by critics who question Ali’s stance on the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

Comments on rabbis serving in the Israel Defense Forces

In October 2025, Ali provoked further criticism when he referred to a Leeds rabbi who had served in the Israel Defense Forces as an “animal”. The comments prompted calls from some politicians and commentators for the Greens to take disciplinary action.The Green party leadership did not remove him from office, and supporters believed the comments came against a backdrop of anger over the conflict in Gaza. However, the remarks intensified critics’ accusations that Ali’s comments crossed a line.

Clash with Keir Starmer

In early 2026, a dispute between Ali and Prime Minister Keir Starmer intensified during a debate in the British Parliament. A Conservative MP claimed Ali took part in a protest seen as supporting Iran’s leadership following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader amid rising tensions in the Middle East.Responding to the accusation, Starmer said he was “shocked but not surprised” by Ali’s attendance at the rally, saying it reflected disturbing trends within the Green Party. The comments quickly escalated a political row between Labor and the Greens.Ali has denied the accusations, saying he participated in demonstrations to oppose the war and escalation, not to support the Iranian regime.