Green Party Candidates Under Fire for Anti-Semitic Social Media Activity
The Green Party is confronting intense scrutiny and demands to withdraw support for two London local election candidates following the emergence of social media posts containing what critics describe as "abhorrent and anti-Semitic" conspiracy theories. The controversy centers on candidates in Camden and Croydon who have shared content alleging Israeli involvement in attacks against Jewish communities.
Camden Candidate Investigated for False Flag Claims
In Camden, Green council candidate Aziz Rahman Hakimi for Haverstock ward is under formal investigation by the party after sharing posts that claimed Israel orchestrated the arson attack on Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green as a "false flag" operation. The March incident, which destroyed four Jewish charity-owned vehicles, is being treated by the Metropolitan Police as an anti-Semitic hate crime.
Mr Hakimi, a civil engineer and local businessman, has also reposted allegations that "Zionists" were responsible for the 9/11 attacks and described Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer as an "Israeli poppet [puppet]." Another shared post urged Muslims not to smoke because it helped "funding the Jews to kill our brothers."
Labour's Richard Olszewski, Leader of Camden Council, stated: "Aziz Hakimi's conduct is abhorrent and anti-Semitic and I'm appalled that the Camden Green Party selected him. His views have no place in our borough. The Camden Green Party must drop Hakimi immediately."
Liberal Democrat opposition leader Tom Simon echoed these sentiments, calling the conspiracy theories "not only abhorrent but dangerous" and demanding the Greens "disown him as a candidate immediately and expel him from the party."
Croydon Candidate Faces Criticism Over Israel Comments
Meanwhile in Croydon, Green candidate Mark Adderley for Crystal Palace & Upper Norwood has drawn criticism for social media activity that includes comparing Israel to Nazi Germany and suggesting Israeli responsibility for attacks against Jewish people. This includes a video where he attributed the Golders Green Hatzola attack to Israel's Prime Minister.
Critics argue these comments breach the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, which describes it as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred towards Jews." The Green Party has confirmed Adderley will remain a candidate but is reviewing its vetting processes in response to the controversy.
Party Response and Electoral Implications
Lorna Jane Russell, Leader of Camden Greens, stated: "Camden Green Party unequivocally reject antisemitism and all forms of racism. We take these allegations extremely seriously and while the party's investigation is ongoing, I want to reassure our community that these views are unacceptable."
A Green Party spokesperson told reporters the party was "investigating" Hakimi's comments, which "do not reflect the views and values of the Green Party," while adding that "strong opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza should not be conflated with antisemitism."
However, even if the party withdraws support for candidates, there is no legal mechanism to remove their names from ballot papers once nomination deadlines have passed. If elected, such candidates would sit as independents, though the results would stand.
The revelations come after a dossier compiling comments by Green candidates across the country was shared with national media, prompting broader questions about the party's candidate selection processes ahead of the May 7, 2026 local elections.
