I recently wrote to Birmingham City Council’s newly appointed Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, Cllr Kamel Hawwash, to seek assurances on a number of issues that are important to Birmingham’s Jewish community.
As one of the most diverse cities in the country, Birmingham is home to people of many faiths and backgrounds. Every community should feel confident that the City Council will support their right to practise their faith freely, educate their children in accordance with their beliefs, and live free from discrimination or intimidation.
In recent years, concerns have been raised nationally about antisemitism and about how Jewish communities are affected by tensions surrounding events in the Middle East. Against that backdrop, it is important that those holding responsibility for education provide clear reassurance that Jewish children, families and staff will be supported and protected.
As Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Hawwash now holds responsibility for areas that directly affect Birmingham’s Jewish community, including schools, safeguarding, educational standards and community cohesion. Given previous public debate surrounding some of his political views and campaigning activity, I believe it is reasonable to ask for clarification on several important matters.
I have therefore asked him to confirm that he supports:
- The continued success and development of Birmingham’s Jewish faith school.
- The teaching of the Holocaust in accordance with the National Curriculum.
- Educational programmes that promote understanding of antisemitism and the dangers of racial and religious hatred.
- Measures to ensure Jewish pupils can attend school free from bullying, harassment and intimidation.
- Balanced and responsible discussions of international conflicts that do not result in hostility towards Jewish pupils or staff.
- Appropriate safeguarding and security arrangements where schools face risks from hate crime or intimidation.
- Constructive engagement with Birmingham’s Jewish community when developing education policy.
- Equal treatment and protection from discrimination for Jewish pupils, parents, governors and staff.
I have also sought confirmation that Cllr Hawwash supports Birmingham City Council’s continued commitment to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which the Council adopted before his election. The definition provides an important framework for identifying and challenging antisemitism and has helped reassure Jewish residents that anti-Jewish hatred will be taken seriously.
At a time when many Jewish people across the country report feeling increasingly vulnerable, it is essential that Birmingham City Council sends a clear message that Jewish families are valued, respected and protected.
These questions are not about party politics. They are about ensuring that every child can learn in safety, every family can participate fully in civic life, and every community can have confidence that Birmingham remains a welcoming city for people of all faiths and backgrounds.
I look forward to receiving Cllr Hawwash’s response and hope it will provide reassurance to Birmingham’s Jewish community and to all those who believe that discrimination and hatred have no place in our city.
