Lead

Hackney Council in east London has voted to begin the formal process of ending its decades-long twinning agreement with the Israeli city of Haifa, a relationship established in 1968. The decision, taken on Tuesday evening, follows a Green Party election victory in May and comes amid ongoing controversy over the Gaza conflict.

The council's move was reported by Al Jazeera and the Jerusalem Post, both of which noted the historical significance of the twinning arrangement, which was originally established in a spirit of working-class solidarity and included multi-faith and multi-ethnic cooperation centered around medical links, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Coverage Comparison

The two outlets frame the decision differently. Al Jazeera's coverage emphasizes the protest against Israel's war on Gaza, describing the move as a response to "genocidal war on Gaza" and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The Jerusalem Post takes a more critical stance, framing the decision as an anti-Israel move driven by the Green Party's pro-Palestine stance.

While Al Jazeera reports that the council is scheduled to vote on the motion, the Jerusalem Post states that the vote already took place and approved the initiation of the process to end the twinning relationship. This discrepancy may reflect the timing of their reports.

Key Claims

  • The twinning agreement between Hackney and Haifa was established on July 26, 1968, with a pledge to encourage "friendly contacts and exchanges between ordinary citizens," as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • According to Hackney Council documents cited by Al Jazeera, the agreement has been "dormant" since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the council said it "will not engage in any twinning activity with Haifa whilst conflict is ongoing."
  • The Green Party, which took control of Hackney Council from the Labour Party in May's local elections, has long held a pro-Palestine stance and opposed Israel's war on Gaza, according to both outlets.
  • The Jerusalem Post reports that the decision follows a Green Party majority victory in the May local elections and that the motion initiates the formal process to end the twinning relationship.
  • Hackney Mayor Zoë Garbett defended the move as consistent with the council's "values and commitment to human rights, international law, justice, and international solidarity," according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • Opposition councilors argued that Haifa is a progressive, diverse city that serves as a model of coexistence. Councilor Simche Steinberger pointed out that Haifa features "the only hospital in the entire Israel which you have connection" (sic), according to the Jerusalem Post.
  • Jewish groups in England have criticized the motion, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • Al Jazeera reports that other British cities remain twinned with Israeli cities, including Newcastle, Bournemouth, and Portsmouth, though this claim appears only in that outlet's coverage.

Perspectives

Hackney Mayor Zoë Garbett (Supporting the Motion)

Mayor Garbett defended the decision as a delivery on manifesto commitments to ensure institutional relationships are consistent with the council's values on human rights, international law, justice, and international solidarity.

Opposition Councilor Simche Steinberger (Opposing the Motion)

Councilor Steinberger argued that Haifa is a progressive, diverse city and a model of coexistence, highlighting the medical links between the two communities.

Jewish Groups in England (Opposing the Motion)

Jewish groups in England have expressed criticism of the motion, though specific details of their objections were not detailed in the available reporting.