Why is Starmer Standing by Azhar Ali?

[Dogfisher]

AIBU to think that he should be out on his ear for his blatant anti-Semitism? I actually thought that Starmer was dealing with this in the LP - but this seems to suggest otherwise.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/feb/12/labour-criticised-for-backing-rochdale-candidate-after-offensive-israel-remark

@Plikujyhtg he isn't an MP though that's the point. He is supposed to represent the Labour Party.

And? Don't vote for them then. Rishi is bombing ships in the name of the UK government and the British public. I didn't vote for that.

Rishi is bombing ships in the name of the UK government and the British public.

Are you sure?

People do mention it quite a lot, including you earlier in the thread. But no one took the bait so you thought you'd try again.

Why are you so bothered about what Azhar has said?

Well - because his words were clearly anti-Semitic and I was under the impression that Starmer was stamping this out in the party. Standing by Ali did not suggest this at all. He has done the right thing now and I am very pleased about that.

NB I would not normally engage with anyone who says things like 'the anti-Semitic card is pulled out' but I thought I would just explain to you why I started the thread.

Israel is being backed by a billion pound marketing machine that airs adverts during the Superbowl for crying out loud.

Do you mean that advert that suggested that it might be nice to support your Jewish neighbour when someone graffitis that she's a nazi on her garage door?

Will he be able to stand as an Independent, or is it too late?

No, and yes.

It's quite interesting that he didn't get challenged on his comments. Or this wasn't seen as enough of an issue to stop his nomination.

I think there is a massive gulf between the parliamentary Labour party and the Labour party at the local level.

I wonder if this guy will start his own political party. Then he can say what he really thinks! He might get quite a few im the local Labour party to support him.

My understanding is he will be on the ballot paper, so will be an independent whether he likes it or not.

I'm talking about the "bring the hostages home" advert. Conveniently when they are literally starting their bombardment of Rafah and doubly convenient that the same night, in a city of 1 millions refugees they located 2.hostages! Wow! The intel was working on this occasion

I think there's a big problem in every party with properly looking into the background and previous remarks of both parliamentary candidates and councillors. There have been numerous incidents across the political spectrum where candidates or incumbents have had to apologise, stand down or be suspended. You wouldn't think it would be hard to employ someone just to comb through candidates' social media etc but it seems to happen time and again that embarrassment, offence or worse are caused.

Plikujyhtg thankfully the Labour Party have acted and do not think like you do.

You think that they timed the bombardment of Rafah to coincide with the Super Bowl because they had an advert going out during it?

Absolutely. For the last week since they announced their plans to bomb Rafah, the west have asked them to reconsider this. One of the biggest global sporting events in the world. Millions of viewers in the US. They decide to air an advert at half time to remind the masses why it's very important that they must continue with their mission.
Do you think it's normal for a supposedly democratic and moral government to adopt this kind of marketing tactic in the middle of a controversial war?

I think this incident highlights what is going to happen when Starmer wins.

There are going to be a lot of disappointment people, who imagined he would be going x, y and z for them. I suspect there will be zero honeymoon.

You haven't answered the question. Are the Israeli government Islamaphobic?

@Plikujyhtg all Israelis are Islamophobic?

And it's some reach to think (real wooh) that all things are coordinated.

I didn't say all Israelis did I? I said the Israeli government.

And it's some reach to think that the most advanced military in the world didn't have any inkling of this attack happening

I will agree that what he said was anti semetic - if you can agree that the Israelis are Islamaphobic.

Not the government. All Israelis?

Almost as grim as Palestinian death toll reaching nearly 30,000 in the last 5 months.

I clarified in my later post it was the government. But please, continue to argue semantics rather than answer the question

No I do not agree that 'Israelis are Islamophobic'.

And the word is Semitic not semetic.

You think that the Super Bowl half time advert slots are sold in the week before the Super Bowl?