Candidates supporting Gaza elected despite controversies related to gender segregation and antisemitism

Recent local elections in a small town in northern England, near the vibrant city of Manchester, witnessed a surprising turn of events. Two contentious pro-Gaza contenders managed to secure seats that were previously held by the mainstream Labour Party. Both candidates stood as independents during the voting that took place on May 1.

An 18-year-old named Maheen Kamran emerged victorious in the election for the Burnley Central East seat on the Lancashire County Council. Similarly, Azhar Ali secured the position of county councillor for the Nelson East ward. Their triumphs were highlighted by The Telegraph, which suggested that these wins might indicate a growing trend. This trend follows the success of several pro-Gaza candidates, including the former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, in the previous year’s general election.

Ali is a former Labour Party member who was suspended from the party and lost its backing over allegations of antisemitism during an election last year. Labour initially supported Ali after he claimed that Israel “allowed” Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre to occur as a pretext to invade Gaza, according to the BBC. He later apologized for making what he called a “deeply offensive, ignorant and false” claim. Labour withdrew its support for Ali and later suspended him from the party.

Labour candidate for Rochdale, Azhar Ali launches his by-election campaign on Feb. 07, 2024 in Rochdale, England.  (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Kamran has taken radical stances of her own. She voted in favor of ending the “free mixing” of Muslim men and women in public spaces. 

“Muslim women aren’t really comfortable with being involved with Muslim men. I’m sure we can have segregated areas, segregated gyms, where Muslim women don’t have to sacrifice their health,” Kamran told PoliticsHome.

Palestinians gather among the rubble of buildings destroyed during the Israeli offensive, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, February 17, 2025. (REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa)

In the same interview, Kamran said she entered politics because she believes there is a “genocide” taking place in Gaza. While critics of Israel’s military actions use the term “genocide,” supporters of the Jewish state often argue that Israel has the capability to destroy Gaza’s population but has chosen not to, thereby disputing the genocide claim.

Ali and Kamran’s victories come as mainstream parties lose influence in local elections. The right-wing populist Reform UK Party saw major gains in the latest election, according to the Telegraph. Meanwhile, despite its control of 10 Downing Street, Labour suffered losses in the recent local elections. 

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