A Green Party councillor, Kamel Hawwash, was appointed Cabinet Member for Children and Families in Birmingham’s new coalition administration on May 2024. hawwash, who praised the October 7 Hamas attacks as "courageous," faced immediate criticism from local leaders and the public.

Hawwash’s October 7 Praise Triggers Council Backlash

According to the source report, Hawwash posted a piece titled “10 days since Al‑Aqsa Flood: Courage in the face of aggression” less than two weeks after the Hamas assault, describing the attacks as brave. The article notes that he also claimed Israel killed its own civilians during the raid, a claim widely disputed. This past commentary has become the focal point of opposition from figures such as Lord Austin of Dudley, who called the appointment “hugely divisive.”

Deputy Mumtaz Hussain’s Own Israel‑Related Controversy

The deputy appointed to assist Hawwash,Liberal Democrat councillor Mumtaz Hussain, has also been under scrutiny. As the source explains, Hussain led a campaign to ban Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters from a Europa League match at Villa Park, a move that critics said bowed to pro‑Palestinian pressure and contributed to the resignation of West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford.

Other Green Appointments Highlight Party’s Rising Influence

In addition to Hawwash,the reoprt mentions that fellow Green councillor Atikur Rahman secured the Deputy Cabinet role for Housing and Homelessness. Rahman previously attracted attention for liking a social‑media post defending musician Bobby Vylan after a controversial Glastonbury chant about the Gaza conflict, underscoring the party’s broader tilt toward outspoken positions on the Israel‑Gaza issue.

Unresolved Questions About Governance and Oversight

The source leaves two key points unclear: whether Birmingham’s coalition agreement includes any safeguards to prevent personal political views from influencing children‑services policy, and how the council plans to address community concerns about the moral suitability of its senior leaders.