Birmingham Green Councillor Under Fire for Hailing October 7 Attacks as ‘Courageous’

A newly appointed Green Cabinet Member for Children and Families in Birmingham, Kamel Hawwash, is facing intense scrutiny after hailing the October 7 attacks as “courageous”, according to GB News. This revelation comes as Mr Hawwash takes a key role in the city’s new administration.

Councillor’s Controversial Comments

Kamel Hawwash, elected in last month’s local elections, shared a post on October 16, 2023, titled: “10 days since Al-Aqsa Flood: Courage in the face of aggression.” The post referenced the brutal October 7 attacks by the terrorist group Hamas, which were officially called “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”. Mr Hawwash has now been appointed to Birmingham City Council’s new cabinet administration, which is a coalition of Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Independents, as reported by GB News.

This isn’t the first time Mr Hawwash has made controversial statements. GB News highlighted that he previously falsely claimed Israel “killed its own citizens, including children” during the October 7 attacks. He also described Zionism as “Jewish supremacy” and suggested “millions” would mourn the death of a Hamas leader, despite the group’s proscription as a terrorist organisation.

Deputy’s Role and Wider Concerns

The controversy extends to Mr Hawwash’s deputy, Liberal Democrat councillor Mumtaz Hussain, who led calls to ban fans from the Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv from Villa Park last November. According to GB News, she served on the safety advisory group that urged West Midlands Police to prevent the fans from entering the stadium. This led to claims that police succumbed to pressure from pro-Palestinian campaigners, resulting in the resignation of chief constable Craig Guildford.

Another Green Party member, Atikur Rahman, also elected to Birmingham City Council and now appointed Housing and Homelessness Deputy, is under fire. While a civil servant, he liked a social media post defending singer Bobby Vylan, who chanted “death to the IDF” at Glastonbury Festival, claiming Vylan “raised alert to the genocide in Gaza,” GB News reported.

• Kamel Hawwash, Green Cabinet Member for Children and Families, praised the October 7 attacks.
• He previously made false claims about Israeli actions and described Zionism as “Jewish supremacy.”
• His deputy, Mumtaz Hussain, pushed for a ban on Israeli football fans at Villa Park.
• Another Green councillor, Atikur Rahman, liked a post defending “death to the IDF” chants.
• Lord Austin of Dudley called the appointments “hugely divisive” and appalling for Brummies.

What This Means for Britain

This situation raises serious questions about the judgement and priorities of those now in charge of vital public services in Britain’s second-largest city.

For ordinary families in Birmingham, the appointment of a Cabinet Member for Children and Families with such views will be deeply concerning, particularly regarding the safety and values taught to their children.

The controversy highlights a growing disconnect between the political establishment and the common-sense values of many British people, especially when it involves sensitive international conflicts.

The resignation of a chief constable over alleged pressure from campaigners, as reported by GB News, undermines public trust in the independence of our institutions and law enforcement.

This incident also fuels concerns about how effectively local councils are scrutinising the backgrounds and public statements of those they appoint to powerful, taxpayer-funded positions.

Ultimately, it shows how easily divisive ideologies can infiltrate local governance, impacting the very services meant to protect and serve the community.

Share if you believe our public officials must uphold common-sense values and prioritise the safety of all British citizens.

This article is a factual summary of reporting by GB News. Full original story available on their website. All quotes directly attributed.

Source: GB News | Breaking Brexit News