Hackney Council to Review Twinning with Haifa
A cross-party group will examine all the borough's sister city relationships.
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Hackney Council has voted to review its 60-year twinning partnership with Haifa, Israel. The decision, made at a full council meeting on Tuesday, could lead to the end of the decades-long relationship. The council agreed in principle to end the partnership following a motion by the Hackney Greens.
The review comes amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and in light of a UN Commission of Inquiry report that concluded Israel committed genocide against Palestinians. Mayor of Hackney, Zoë Garbett, stated that maintaining a civic connection with Haifa, recognised as a military port city, is at odds with anti-racist values.
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Working Group to Examine All Twinning Links
A cross-party working group will be established to review all of Hackney's historic twinning relationships. Several of these partnerships have been dormant for decades. The group will explore new ethical twinning models, focusing on municipalities engaged in peacebuilding, climate justice, and local democracy movements. A final decision on the Haifa partnership is expected later this year.
The twinning partnership between Hackney and Haifa, established in 1968, has largely been limited to hospital exchanges between Homerton Hospital and Rambam Medical Centre. These exchanges have been paused since the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Reactions to the Council's Decision
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign called for the severing of all civic ties with Haifa, protesting against what they describe as the racist domination faced by Palestinians. They also highlighted the presence of arms manufacturer Elbit Systems, headquartered in Haifa.
Opposition groups within the council criticised the move. Councillor Ben Lucas of the Labour party called it a "performative gesture" that would divide communities, arguing that maintaining dialogue is more beneficial. Conservative Councillor Simche Steinberger described the decision as "naivete" and "a disgrace."
The Board of Deputies of British Jews criticised the council's decision, with President Phil Rosenberg stating it showed "ignorance and bigotry." He described Haifa as a diverse city and a model of coexistence.
Councillor Florence Schechter, Cabinet Member for Finance, invoked her Jewish heritage, stating that condemning the genocide in Palestine is necessary to fight rising antisemitism. Councillor Sam Mathys, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Resilience and Business Standards, stressed the cross-party nature of the working group and invited opposition members to contribute.
Questions this report answers
+Why is Hackney Council reviewing its twinning with Haifa?
The review follows a UN report alleging genocide by Israel and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The council believes maintaining ties with Haifa, a military port city, conflicts with its anti-racist values.
+What will happen to the twinning partnership with Haifa?
A final decision on ending the 60-year partnership is expected later this year. The council has agreed in principle to end it, though the partnership has been dormant since the Covid-19 pandemic.
+Who will decide the future of Hackney’s twinning relationships?
A cross-party working group will examine all twinning links, focusing on ethical models tied to peacebuilding and climate justice. The group includes members from all parties and will invite opposition input.
+What exchanges have taken place between Hackney and Haifa?
The twinning has mainly involved hospital exchanges between Homerton Hospital and Rambam Medical Centre. These exchanges have been paused since the Covid-19 pandemic.
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