Delight as Bethlehem Council approves twinning with Derry & Strabane
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
At a Governance and Strategic Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday, Strategic Business Manager, Rachel Craig, sought approval to “engage with officials from Bethlehem City Council to agree an action plan and map a way forward in twinning with the City.”.
In December last year, SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid proposed contacting Bethlehem’s local authorities to start the process of twinning the cities, which would “show our support to the people of the region and to develop our relationship with Bethlehem in order to develop links”.
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Hide AdFollowing the passing of the motion a letter was forwarded to the Mayor of Bethlehem, and the Mayor’s Office in Derry received a response on April 6.


The response confirmed that Bethlehem City Council approved the signing of a twinning agreement by both councils.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor McDaid said she was “delighted to read the letter” from the Mayor of Bethlehem, Mr Hanna Hanania, and was “looking forward to ascertaining how to make this a feasible, practical thing”.
She added: “We have an opportunity for this to be a very positive thing for people of all ages, and from all the political spectrum, to engage with a city of history and culture, just like ours.”
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Hide AdSinn Féin councillor Emma McGinley said the Irish people have been “steadfast behind the people of Palestine and will continue to do so”.


People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin welcomed the Mayor’s response to the “excellent initiative”.
“This can be very positive for our district and Bethlehem,” he said. “But right now Jerusalem and the West Bank is facing unprecedented levels of violence.
“I would urge us to do as much as we can to slow down the violence.”
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Hide AdIndependent councillor Gary Donnelly said acts of solidarity were “very important to Palestinian people”.


“We know what it’s like for people to have solidarity in this country,” councillor Donnelly concluded, adding: “This is very positive and should be seen as a proud and historic moment.”
Andrew Balfour,
Local Democracy Reporter