Who is Mothin Ali? Why is the Green Party leader fighting with Keir Starmer?

Mothin Ali has emerged as one of the most controversial figures in British politics after a series of public clashes with Keir Starmer and criticism from opponents over his statements on Israel, Gaza and international conflicts. Ali, a councillor in Leeds and a prominent voice within the Green Party of England and Wales, rose rapidly in national politics after becoming the party’s co-deputy leader in 2025. However, his outspoken activism on Palestine and foreign policy has repeatedly drawn scrutiny from political opponents, Jewish groups and online critics. The dispute with Starmer escalated in 2026 following a parliamentary row over Ali’s participation in protests against the US–Israel military actions in the Middle East and his past remarks on Israel.

From Leeds councillor to Green Party leadership

Ali serves as a councillor for the Gipton and Harehills ward in Leeds, an area with a large and diverse population and significant South Asian communities. Born and raised in Leeds, he comes from a British Bangladeshi Muslim family whose roots trace back to Bangladesh. His parents were part of migrant communities that settled in northern England in the late twentieth century.




Before entering mainstream politics, Ali built an online following through political commentary and activism on social media platforms. He was previously associated with the Labour Party but later became disillusioned with the party under the leadership of Keir Starmer, particularly over disagreements about Labour’s political direction and its stance on issues such as foreign policy and the Israel–Gaza conflict.

Ali subsequently joined the Green Party of England and Wales and rose within its ranks. In September 2025, he was elected co-deputy leader of the Green Party, alongside fellow party figure Rachel Millward. The role places him among the senior leadership of the party, responsible for helping shape its political strategy and public messaging. His election was also seen as part of the party’s effort to broaden its appeal among younger voters and communities dissatisfied with the UK’s two dominant political parties.

The October 7 tweet controversy

One of the biggest controversies surrounding Ali relates to a post he made on 7 October 2023, the day militants from Hamas launched attacks inside Israel that killed more than 1,000 people. In the tweet, Ali wrote that “white supremacist European settler colonialism must end.”

Critics argued the statement appeared to contextualise or justify the violence of the attack. Several political opponents and commentators cited the timing of the message as inappropriate given the scale of civilian casualties. The comment has since been repeatedly referenced by critics questioning Ali’s stance on Israel and the conflict in Gaza.

Remarks about an IDF-serving rabbi

Further criticism emerged in October 2025 when Ali referred to a Leeds rabbi who had previously served in the Israel Defense Forces as an “animal.” The remark triggered calls from some politicians and commentators for the Green Party to take disciplinary action.

The Green Party leadership did not remove him from office, and supporters argued that the remarks were made in the context of anger over the Gaza conflict. Nevertheless, the comment intensified accusations from critics that Ali’s rhetoric had crossed a line.

The clash with Keir Starmer

The dispute between Ali and Prime Minister Keir Starmer intensified in early 2026 during a debate in the UK Parliament. A Conservative MP alleged that Ali had attended a protest seen as supportive of Iran’s leadership following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader during escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Responding to the allegation, Starmer said he was “shocked but not surprised” by Ali’s presence at the rally and suggested it reflected troubling tendencies within the Green Party. The remark quickly escalated the political row between Labour and the Greens.

Ali rejected the accusations, stating that the demonstration he attended was about opposing war and escalation rather than supporting the Iranian regime.