A Green Party councillor has said allegations that called a proscribed terrorist group "courageous" and praised the October 7th attacks on Israel are "false" and "a gross misrepresentation".

Cllr Kamel Hawwash was elected for the Green Party in the Stirchley ward of Birmingham in May this year.

He is Birmingham's first Palestinian councillor and has been an outspoken critic of the Israeli Defence Force.

Following Cllr Hawwash's announcement as a Green candidate, it was widely reported that he praised the October 7th attacks, describing them as "courage in the face of aggression".

On 7 October 2023, the Palestinian-based terrorist group Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing almost 1,200 people.

The attack was the spark that led Israel to begin its large-scale military operation in Gaza.

Speaking exclusively to ITV News Central, Mr Hawwash has said these allegations are "false" and condemned the attacks on civilians.

He says the comments have been misattributed to him and instead came from the title of a news segment on a Lebanese news channel on which he appeared.

Mr Hawwash said: "Suggesting that these words were my own is a gross misrepresentation."

Cllr Hawwash has been appointed cabinet member for children, young people and families in the new Green, Lib Dem, Independent coalition.

His appointment has led Jewish groups in Birmingham to call on the new council leader, Roger Harmer, to reconsider his appointment.

In a letter to Cllr Harmer, Ruth Jacobs, chair of...

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