Labour calls on Green party mayoral hopeful Zoë Garbett to justify alliance with candidate who described Hamas’ October 7 attacks as an ‘act of resistance’

Hackney Green Party mayoral candidate Zoë Garbett. Photograph: Charlotte Gray

As the 7 May mayoral election approaches, a collaboration between Hackney Green party and a local, independent socialist party has come under fire.

The co-operative agreement is now facing scrutiny following the emergence of social media comments regarding the 7 October attacks.

The London Labour party has called on Hackney mayoral Green party candidate Zoë Garbett to justify her association with a candidate from a different political party.

The Hackney Green party has announced they will co-operate with the Hackney Independent Socialist Collective (HISC) in next month’s local mayoral elections, campaigning for what they describe as “a new kind of politics”.

A statement on the HISC website reads: “For the local elections in May, we are collaborating with Hackney Greens.

“This means that we are not standing against each other and we are endorsing each other’s candidates. We’re also campaigning to elect the Green party’s Zoë Garbett as Mayor of Hackney.”

In a 2024 post on X, Heather Mendick, who is standing for the Hackney Independent Socialist Collective, wrote about the October 7 attacks in which Hamas militants killed 1,195 people, stating:

“… Our starting point for any discussion of the Hamas attack on 7 October must be understanding it as an act of armed resistance, not terrorism”.

A London Labour party spokesperson said: “Zoë Garbett needs to explain how she can justify sharing a platform with someone who has openly described the October 7 attacks as an ‘act of resistance’.

“By choosing to align herself with Heather Mendick, Zoë Garbett risks legitimising views that are deeply offensive and completely out of step with the values of our city.”

In response to a request for comment, a Hackney Green party spokesperson criticised Mendick’s post, but stopped short of saying the party would cease their co-operation with HISC.

“The comments do not reflect the Green party’s position on the horrific attacks of October 7th, which we have repeatedly condemned,” she told the Citizen.

“We stand clearly for international law and the protection of innocent lives. Our campaign is focused on meeting the needs of residents in Hackney who feel let down by the local council and are ready for change.”

Heather Mendick (left) pictured with Alana Heaney. Photograph: Hackney Independent Socialist Group

Mendick was previously a member of the Labour party, serving as Jewish Liaison Officer under Jeremy Corbyn.

In 2022, she was expelled from the Labour party after a 15-month internal investigation found 14 examples of her conduct which “may reasonably be seen to involve antisemitic actions, stereotypes and sentiments”.

Mendick, who is Jewish, has called the investigation a “witch hunt” and told the Daily Mail that she feels “a responsibility to speak against the war crimes and human rights abuses being committed in my name by Israel.”

The controversy has come at a time when the Green party is gaining popularity in national opinion polls and enjoyed a recent victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election.

Zack Polanski has placed emphasis on pro-Palestinian messaging since becoming leader last September.

The mayoral election will take place on Thursday 7 May, with parties expected to intensify campaigning in the coming weeks.

Hackney Independent Socialist Collective (HISC) was approached for comment.