Labour minister slams Greens and Lib Dems over Cabinet post for councillor who called Hamas founders ‘martyrs’
In new video Al Cairns MP says ''Birmingham deserves better than this, and the Jewish families who built this city deserve an answer'
A Labour minister has launched a scathing attack on the Liberal Democrats and Green Party Groups in Birmingham over the appointment of a councillor to the cabinet who had described the founders of Hamas as “martyrs.”
Al Cairns, Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak and Minister for the Armed Forces, released a video on social media highlighting the appointment of Green councillor Kamal Hawwash to the new administration’s cabinet, where he has been put in charge of children and families.
At one point in the newly released video, Cairns fumes: “Birmingham deserves better than this, and the Jewish families who built this city deserve an answer.”
Cairns states: “The man who calls the founders of Hamas martyrs is now in charge of Birmingham’s children.
“He’s a Green Party councillor in Sturtley, and the Birmingham Liberal Democrats just put him into their cabinet.
“His name is Kamal Hawwash. He called the founder of Hamas a martyr. He called the co-founder of Hamas a martyr.
“He mourned the chairman of Hamas when he was killed, compared the leader of Hezbollah to Nelson Mandela, and claimed Israel killed its own people on October 7.
“This is not one bad tweet, it’s not some simple mistake. This is years and years of it”
Cairns then accused the Greens of turning a blind eye to Hawwash’s past when selecting him to stand in May’s local elections, where he was then elected.
“And here’s what nobody wants to say out loud,” added Cairns. “The Green Party knew about this… they campaigned for him…”
The Greens have since joined with the Lib Dems and Better Birmingham Independent Group to form a minority administration in Birmingham, even though Reform actually won the most seats in the city.
Cairns continued his criticism of the Greens over Hawash’s selection, adding: “This is who the Greens are now.
“It’s not about bins, it’s not bike lanes, it’s not the environment, it’s this.
“They’ll put a man who calls mass murderers martyrs on your ballot and ask you to call it progressive.
But the Labour politician then named Roger Harmer, the current Lib Dem leader in the city, and said: “He looked at all of this and he put him in charge of children and families.
“So, Councillor Harmer, Birmingham has one of the largest Jewish communities outside of Europe.
“You knew who he was, you handed him power, despite everything you see.
“So, I’ll ask again: why won’t the Greens answer for him, the Lib Dems won’t answer for it, but Labour will?
“Birmingham deserves better than this, and the Jewish families who built this city deserve an answer.”
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
