Muthin 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 councilor in Leeds and a prominent voice within the Green Party in England and Wales, has risen rapidly in national politics after becoming joint deputy leader of the party in 2025. However, his outspoken activism on Palestine and foreign policy has repeatedly attracted scrutiny from political opponents, Jewish groups and online critics. The dispute with Starmer escalated in 2026 after a parliamentary row over Ali’s participation in protests against US-Israeli military operations in the Middle East and his previous statements on Israel.
from Leeds Consultant To lead the Green Party
Ali works as a councilor for the Gipton and Harehills ward in Leeds, an area with a large and diverse population and large South Asian communities. Born and raised in Leeds, he comes from a British Bangladeshi Muslim family with roots in Bangladesh. His parents were part of the immigrant communities that settled northern England in the late twentieth century.Before entering mainstream politics, Ali built a following online through political commentary and activism on social media platforms.
He was previously associated with the Labor Party but later became disillusioned with the party under Keir Starmer’s leadership, particularly over disagreements over Labour’s political direction and its position on issues such as foreign policy and the Israel-Gaza conflict.Ali subsequently joined the Green Party in England and Wales and rose through its ranks. In September 2025, he was elected deputy co-leader of the Green Party, alongside party colleague Rachel Millward.
This role places him among the party’s senior leadership, where he is responsible for helping to shape its political strategy and public messaging. His election was also seen as part of the party’s efforts to broaden its appeal among young voters and communities dissatisfied with the UK’s two dominant 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 attacks inside Israel that killed more than 1,000 people.
“White supremacist European settler colonialism must end,” Ali wrote in the tweet.Critics said the statement appeared to contextualize or justify the violence of the attack. Many opponents and political commentators noted that the timing of the message was inappropriate given the scale of civilian casualties. This comment has since been repeatedly pointed out by critics who have questioned Ali’s stance on Israel and the conflict in Gaza.
Statements about a rabbi serving in the Israel Defense Forces
Further criticism emerged in October 2025 when Ali referred to a Leeds rabbi who had previously served in the Israeli army as an “animal”. This observation sparked calls from some politicians and commentators for the Green Party to take disciplinary action.The Green Party leadership did not remove him from his position, and his supporters said that these statements came in the context of anger over the conflict in Gaza.
However, the comment intensified critics’ accusations that Ali’s speech went too far.
Clash with Keir Starmer
The dispute between Ali and Prime Minister Keir Starmer escalated in early 2026 during a debate in the UK Parliament. A Conservative MP claimed Ali attended a protest seen as supportive of Iran’s leadership following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader during rising tensions in the Middle East.In response to the claim, Starmer said he was “shocked but not surprised” by Ali’s presence at the rally and suggested it reflected worrying trends within the Green Party. This statement quickly escalated the political dispute between the Labor Party and the Green Party.Ali rejected these accusations, pointing out that the demonstration he attended was about opposing war and escalation and not supporting the Iranian regime.
