A heated exchange has erupted between two Bradford councillors after a fiery debate over the city’s flag protocol and the flying of the Palestinian flag above City Hall.

At the Full Council meeting held on Wednesday, 15 October, the Independent Group brought forward a motion on Bradford’s Flag Protocol, a move prompted by Labour’s decision to raise the Palestinian flag on 22 September, and its proposal to do so again on 29 November.

Labour Councillor Kamran Hussain described the debate as “farcical”, accusing the Independents of failing to acknowledge that Bradford had made history by flying the Palestinian flag on the same day the UK officially recognised Palestine as a state.

In a video posted on Facebook, Cllr Hussain claimed that Independent councillors “initially said they wouldn’t support Labour’s amendment to flying the Palestinian flag every year,” but changed their stance once a recorded vote was called.

He said: “This U-turn speaks volumes. It highlights a lack of understanding from the Independent councillors, who ended up voting for an amendment that effectively called out their own motion. We stand by principles — and we will keep doing exactly that.”

However, Independent Councillor Ishtiaq Ahmed hit back in a video of his own, accusing Labour of “hypocrisy” and “political opportunism.”

Cllr Ahmed said: “For six months, Labour blocked and ignored a petition signed by 1,500 Bradford residents calling for the Palestinian flag to be flown on 29 November — UN Palestine Solidarity Day. They stayed silent, stalled and did nothing.

Then suddenly, the moment Keir Starmer made his announcement, Labour rushed overnight to raise the flag and took credit for it. 

That’s not solidarity. That’s political opportunism. You can’t ignore the people for half a year and then pretend to lead when it’s convenient. If they truly cared, they’d have acted when it mattered — not when it suited their headline.”

The online exchanges sparked strong reactions from residents on social media.

On Cllr Ahmed’s Facebook page, Robina Ahmed wrote: “For two years the Labour group have silently blended into the background on the campaigns and demos for Palestine in the Bradford District. As soon as a PR opportunity came up, they took it whilst alienating all those who had campaigned hard for the last 24 months for a ceasefire, justice and liberation. 

Perhaps they didn’t see the importance of publicly inviting the community and pro-Palestine organisations to the raising of the flag. Instead, they raised the flag in silence as though it was some kind of covert operation. Shame on them.”

Meanwhile, on Cllr Hussain’s Facebook page, resident Ibrar Ali questioned Labour’s sincerity: “I went to town that day after work to see the Palestinian flag. It wasn’t there. How long did you fly the flag for? Please tell me it wasn’t just to make your video and then you pulled it down!? It’s not been there since either.”

The debate over the Palestinian flag has become a flashpoint between Labour and Independent councillors, each accusing the other of political grandstanding rather than genuine solidarity. As tensions rise, the issue has become a major talking point among Bradford residents, with both parties vying to show they represent the true voice of the community.

Who the people of Bradford will ultimately trust on the matter may well be decided at the ballot box, with the next local elections just over six months away.