SDLP Ballyarnett councillor Catherine McDaid has welcomed the approval of Bethlehem City Council to twin with Derry City and Strabane.
A request that was made to Bethlehem City Council following a motion from Councillor McDaid in January.
Mayor of Bethlehem Adv. Anton Salman has now approved the request.
Councillor McDaid said: “I am delighted that Bethlehem City Council has agreed to twin with Derry City and Strabane District Council area as a result of the motion I introduced in January this year.
“I was very moved at the sacrifice that the people of Bethlehem undertook in abandoning their festive celebrations in November in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
“This was a significant step that will have impacted many aspects of the lives and livelihoods of people in Bethlehem, but the city council knew the power of sending that message.
“As the genocide in Gaza continues, it’s incumbent on us to take every step possible to demonstrate similar solidarity with the people of Palestine.
“I believe that the twinning of our two cities demonstrates on a global stage that Derry, and indeed Ireland, recognises the plight of the Palestinian people and stands in solidarity with them.
“Twining with Bethlehem is also an economic and social opportunity for our region.
“This connection will allow us to build on our shared culture and to link local schools and colleges with educators, as well as open new economic links for the benefit of people in both of our regions.”
SDLP Leader Foyle MP Colum Eastwood welcomed the announcement saying: “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.
“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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