Hackney Council is set to vote on ending its decades-long twinning agreement with Haifa, Israel, in protest against the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The motion, brought forward by the Green Party, argues the partnership no longer aligns with the borough's values.
Hackney Council's Decision on Haifa Twinning
The London Borough of Hackney and Haifa, Israel's third-largest city, established a twinning declaration on July 26, 1968. This partnership aimed to foster friendly contacts and exchanges between citizens, a common practice among UK cities to promote cultural exchange, trade, and tourism.
Council documents indicate the agreement has been largely dormant since the COVID-19 pandemic. The council stated it "will not engage in any twinning activity with Haifa whilst conflict is ongoing." The motion to terminate the agreement specifically cites the war on Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crisis as reasons for the proposed severing of ties.
Green Party Influence and Public Pressure
Control of Hackney Council shifted to the Green Party in May's local elections from the Labour Party. The Green Party has maintained a strong pro-Palestine stance and campaigned on ending the twinning arrangement. Petitions to end the partnership have been submitted, including one by the Hackney Palestinian Solidarity Campaign in 2024.
Public calls to end the twinning have intensified following a September report by a United Nations fact-finding mission. This report accused Israeli forces of breaching international law and the Genocide Convention in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Residents also raised concerns about Haifa's role as a naval facility and a base for defense manufacturers.
Backlash and Counterarguments
The proposed move has drawn criticism from Jewish groups in England. Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called the Green Party's motion "spite over sense." He highlighted Haifa as a mixed city with a progressive mayor and an increasing presence of Arab councillors, suggesting it represents coexistence.
Former Labour Councillor Luke Akehurst also condemned the motion as "performative and spiteful." He noted the original twinning involved medical exchanges between Hackney's Homerton Hospital and Rambam Hospital in Haifa, arguing such initiatives promote peace and understanding rather than cancellation.
Other UK Twinning Arrangements
Hackney's potential decision to de-twin from Haifa places it among other UK cities with links to Israeli municipalities. These include:
- Newcastle with Haifa
- Bournemouth and Portsmouth with Netanya
- Barnet Borough with Ramat Gan
- Elstree and Borehamwood with Shoham
The outcome of Tuesday's vote is expected to reveal Hackney Council's stance on international partnerships in light of current geopolitical events. The proposal also includes establishing a cross-party working group to review all existing twinning programs.
