Yahoo News Derry to be twinned with town of Jesus' birth in sign of Palestine solidarity
Derry city is to be formally twinned with the Biblical birthplace of Christ, it has emerged.
Derry City and Strabane Council wrote to the Mayor of Bethlehem to request a formal twinning arrangement, as part of the NI council's efforts to show solidarity with the people of Palestine.
The Mayor of Derry, Sinn Fein councillor Patricia Logue, has now said she is pleased and honoured to receive correspondence from Mayor of Bethlehem Adv. Anton Salman approved the request.
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“I am really pleased that the Mayor of Bethlehem is open to working with us here in Derry and Strabane to establish a formal twinning arrangement between the two regions," she said.
"It’s a very difficult time for the people of Bethlehem however they have taken a very proactive approach to show support for Palestine, their Church leaders and officials at Bethlehem Council cancelled all festival and religious celebrations as a mark of solidarity with the people of Gaza.
"This was a huge decision and will have impacted every aspect of the religious practices, economy, livelihoods and tourism, but the Council knew it needed to happen and showed leadership and resilience and provide support to those in their communities and to do what they can to protect those that are impacted by the war."
She continued: "I think it's important that we here in Derry and Strabane build a strong relationship with them and do what we can to learn from one another.
“The people of Derry/Strabane and Bethlehem have a lot in common, both have shown great resilience and strength and I strongly believe that by twinning with each other we reap the benefits of a very positive and engaging relationship that will impact our communities and businesses.”
In January of this year, a notice of motion was agreed by councillors in Derry and Strabane, which stated: “That this Council notes with grave concern the ongoing loss of life in the tragic war in Palestine.
“It notes that the ongoing genocide in Gaza is completely abhorrent and that the impact of the Israeli occupation is being felt right across the region, including in the West Bank.
"This Council commits to contacting the local authorities within Bethlehem and to start the process of twinning Derry and Strabane with Bethlehem city, to show our support to the people of the region and to develop our relationship with Bethlehem in order to develop links for education, culture and economy.”
Responding, the Mayor of Bethlehem wrote: “On behalf of Bethlehem city council and the citizens of the town of the Nativity, I thank you and the Irish people for your steadfast position and support to our Palestinian just cause.
"This decision reflects the historical, unshakeable reaction between the Palestinian and the Irish people, and our shared commitment to fostering mutual understanding as well as strengthening the bonds of cooperation and friendship between our two cities.”
The news was also welcomed by SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, who said: "Following this SDLP motion two cities which have both shown such solidarity to the plight of people in Gaza will now be twinned. We have much in common with Palestinians in both our pursuit of peace and rejection of oppression."
He added: "This will allow our two regions to build on that solidarity and open up new channels of collaboration. This is another step that we can take to demonstrate the strength of feeling in this city against the unbearable genocide being perpetrated on the people of Gaza.
"The people of Derry have always stood with Palestine and this will only strengthen that bond.”
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