Title: George Galloway’s Surprising Victory in Rochdale By-Election: A Thorn for Labour Over Palestine Issue
The opposition Labour Party in the United Kingdom, which is anticipated to emerge victorious in the upcoming general election, has faced an unexpected setback as former party member and vocal pro-Palestinian activist George Galloway secured a landslide victory in the Rochdale by-election. With a near 6,000-vote majority, Galloway has pledged to be a persistent critic of Labour on the contentious issue of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.
Background and Controversial Campaign:
The by-election, an exceptional polling event outside the regular election cycle, gained significant attention following Labour’s decision to withdraw support from their candidate, Azhar Ali. The controversy arose when videos surfaced of Ali making allegations against Israel regarding the October 7 Hamas attacks, which many perceived as divisive and insensitive.
The situation took an unexpected turn, as Labour initially stood by Ali despite the controversy but later withdrew their support due to time constraints for nominating a replacement candidate. This unforeseen circumstance created an opportunity for Galloway, who has long focused on areas with large Muslim populations and has been accused by critics of exploiting their votes.
Campaign Materials:
In the lead-up to the by-election, the political editor of The Sun tabloid uncovered campaign material from Galloway that was specifically targeted towards Muslim voters. These materials contained statements such as: “The political class has failed Rochdale, failed Britain and failed Gaza … the Labour Party under Keir Starmer have betrayed Muslims, choosing instead to support Israel’s genocide in Gaza … I, George Galloway, have fought for Muslims at home and abroad all of my life. And paid a price for it.”
Labour’s Challenges:
The Labour Party has struggled to navigate the Israel-Hamas conflict, attempting to call for a ceasefire while avoiding criticizing Israel. This delicate balancing act is complicated further by Labour’s recent history of dealing with allegations of anti-Semitism under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.
Galloway’s Contentious Past:
The controversial figure, who was expelled from the Labour Party in 2003 over his opposition to Tony Blair’s support for the Iraq War, has a long-standing record of advocating for Muslim causes and Palestinians. However, he has also been accused of employing anti-Semitic tropes, such as when he tweeted “No #Israel flags on the Cup!” following Tottenham Hotspur’s loss in the Champion’s League final in 2019. Galloway has continuously denied allegations of anti-Semitism.
State-Funded Media Controversy:
Galloway’s past associations with state-funded media, including Russia Today and Press TV, have raised eyebrows due to these channels’ accusations of broadcasting propaganda.
Implications for the Upcoming General Election:
While Galloway’s victory in the Rochdale by-election is noteworthy, it does not necessarily provide insight into the outcome of the upcoming general election. If Labour had been able to put forward a viable candidate, they likely would have retained the seat. However, Galloway’s victory serves as a reminder for Keir Starmer and the Labour Party to exercise caution in the screening of their candidates to prevent similar controversies from arising during the general election.
